Power utility boosts awareness to curb deadly accidents
Addressing a ‘silent killer’
The northern electricity distributor has launched 'Takamesa', a campaign aimed at reducing electricity-related accidents, including fatalities.
Kavango West governor Verna Sinimbo has called for urgent action to address rising electrical accidents, including fatal incidents, in the region, warning that electricity, while vital for development, can be deadly when mishandled.
Sinimbo made the remarks Monday during the launch of Nored’s new safety awareness and public education campaign dubbed 'Takamesa' – electricity can kill you'.
The campaign, which takes its name from a Rukwangali word meaning “be very careful”, aims to educate the public on the dangers of electricity and the importance of adhering to safety practices to avoid accidents.
“This campaign is not just about education; it's about saving lives and protecting our communities from the dangers of electricity. Electricity powers our homes and businesses, but it can be hazardous if not handled responsibly,” Sinimbo stressed.
She revealed that Kavango West has recorded three fatal electrical incidents already this year, despite ongoing outreach programmes by Nored. The campaign is a direct response to what she described as a critical safety challenge facing the power utility and the communities it serves.
Zero harm
Nored's board chairperson, Johannes Uushini, said Takamesa is the first phase of a broader initiative branded as 'Namutenya’s Adventure', a creative public education drive that will use the character of a young girl named Namutenya to communicate key messages on electricity use and safety.
The campaign will run for three months and focus on topics such as safe household wiring, the dangers of illegal connections, vandalism, and how to respond during electrical emergencies. It targets both the public and Nored employees under the theme 'Caring for the employees, caring for the community, zero harm'.
Sinimbo urged residents to support the campaign, saying “each of us has a role to play in preventing avoidable tragedies.”
She also challenged Nored to intensify its educational efforts in local languages and engage youth and community leaders to spread the message effectively.
“Let this be more than a launch. Let it be a commitment to making electricity a safe tool for development, not a silent killer,” she stated.
Sinimbo made the remarks Monday during the launch of Nored’s new safety awareness and public education campaign dubbed 'Takamesa' – electricity can kill you'.
The campaign, which takes its name from a Rukwangali word meaning “be very careful”, aims to educate the public on the dangers of electricity and the importance of adhering to safety practices to avoid accidents.
“This campaign is not just about education; it's about saving lives and protecting our communities from the dangers of electricity. Electricity powers our homes and businesses, but it can be hazardous if not handled responsibly,” Sinimbo stressed.
She revealed that Kavango West has recorded three fatal electrical incidents already this year, despite ongoing outreach programmes by Nored. The campaign is a direct response to what she described as a critical safety challenge facing the power utility and the communities it serves.
Zero harm
Nored's board chairperson, Johannes Uushini, said Takamesa is the first phase of a broader initiative branded as 'Namutenya’s Adventure', a creative public education drive that will use the character of a young girl named Namutenya to communicate key messages on electricity use and safety.
The campaign will run for three months and focus on topics such as safe household wiring, the dangers of illegal connections, vandalism, and how to respond during electrical emergencies. It targets both the public and Nored employees under the theme 'Caring for the employees, caring for the community, zero harm'.
Sinimbo urged residents to support the campaign, saying “each of us has a role to play in preventing avoidable tragedies.”
She also challenged Nored to intensify its educational efforts in local languages and engage youth and community leaders to spread the message effectively.
“Let this be more than a launch. Let it be a commitment to making electricity a safe tool for development, not a silent killer,” she stated.
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