Agreement Mkhari 
By Joyce Dube
On 13 June 2025, the City of Tshwane’s Emergency Services hosted a safety awareness event at Soshanguve Crossing in Pretoria. The event was part of the city’s ongoing safety program and took place during Youth Month. Although the program mainly targets the youth, preschool learners were invited as special guests, since they are also part of the younger generation.
The event is part of a year-long campaign started by the Mayor of Tshwane to educate the public about safety. Each month, different sectors of the city visit communities to raise awareness about fire safety, home safety, and emergency procedures.
Mr. L. Mnguni, acting spokesperson for the Emergency Services Department, explained:
“This is a city-wide drive. Different departments come out to teach people how to stay safe. Today’s focus is on the youth because it’s Youth Month. But the program continues throughout the year.”
Preschool teachers who attended the event said they appreciated the opportunity to bring their learners.
“As preschool teachers, we feel honoured to be part of this. It’s important for our children to learn about fire safety from a young age,” said Nomusa Thwala. “Children now understand that fire is dangerous and should not be played with. This lesson should be taught in every community, for both children and adults.”
Another teacher, Agreement Shabangu, added:
“We had fun and learned a lot. We also got to interact with other teachers and saw how they manage their kids. Our children now know emergency numbers and understand how to stay safe.”
During the event, children participated in fun activities such as dancing and talent shows. Buckets were handed out as prizes to those who answered safety questions correctly. The event ended with refreshments for everyone.
