Pretoria – The North West Government on Tuesday launched a campaign to educate learners in public schools about earthquakes.
The Department of Local Government and Human Settlements in Bokone Bophirima, together with the Matlosana local municipality’s Disaster Management Centre have started educated learners in Klerksdorp on ways to effectively prevent, mitigate, prepare for and respond to the impact of disaster caused by dolomite, earthquake and sinkholes.
In 2014, the province experienced an earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale with a depth of 10km. Orkney area was the epicentre.
The campaign reached out to four schools which were affected by the earthquake.
“The area of Stilfontein is immensely built under a dolomitic rock and as a result, we must replace leaking taps and drainage systems to prevent dolomite from getting water as it will cause sink holes,” said Selebogo Molusiwa from the Mahikeng local municipality.
Learners were given leaflets and posters of an evacuation plan as well as information on how to prevent sinkholes and a clear understanding on what dolomite is and what to do in case a disaster strikes again.
In 2014, a total of 13 houses were completely evacuated as a result of the earthquake, ten in Stilfontein, two in Khuma, Matlosana local municipality and one in Dinokana, Ramotshere Moiloa local municipality.
The Provincial Executive Committee declared the Dr Kenneth Kaunda district a provincial earthquake disaster in terms of Section 41 of the Provincial Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002, which is administered through the department’s Provincial Management Disaster Centre. – SAnews.gov.za
