What is a Warden system?

A warden system is a mechanism for communicating news and information to a defined group of South African expatriates abroad. The reason for a warden system is to ease communication between LOSA and a significant (in terms of numbers) expatriate community in Taiwan.

What is a Warden?

A warden is an elected volunteer who acts as a nodal point for the distribution of news and information to South African citizens living within a defined geographic area abroad. The warden can thus be described as ‘an intermediary’. Wardens are not tracing agents and have no function other than a liaison function between the LOSA and the citizens within his / her warden district.

Requirements to be appointed as a Warden:

A warden must:

• Be appointed by the South African expat community within a region.

• Be a South African national (cannot have dual nationality), active, well-known and a prominent member of the South African community within the region (including being legally in the country).

• Be of upstanding and sound character and integrity.

• Have no criminal record or associates with people that are involved in criminal activities.

• Have their own transport and communication equipment.

• Have the ability to speak the local language (Chinese).

The duties of a Warden include, but are not limited to:

• must be accessible and available 24/7

• is able to meet with officials from LOSA on a regular basis

• identify and inform the LOSA of all means of communication

• available in order to reach South African citizens promptly in an emergency

• should have readily accessible lists with names and contact details of South African citizens within his/her district,  including confidentiality requirements

• work closely with LOSA to develop and identify evacuation plans /routes

• should communicate with LOSA  and report on the status in his/her district on a regular basis after South Africans are arrested or during and after natural disasters (earthquakes/typhoons)

• should maintain regular communication with all SA citizens registered with him/her

• designate a Deputy Warden (that complies with the requirements of a Warden) to perform duties in his/her absence

Appointed Wardens, by the SA community in Taiwan, are required to submit the following to LOSA:

1. A letter, including the name list with signatures of the South Africans, that appoint you as a Warden / representative for the SA community in your area. (Include the list of South Africans that you will be responsible for (including their title, full names (as on SA ID)  and SA ID numbers and their signature next to their details); 

2. Your full CV with relevant contact details and physical address;

3. Police clearance certificate (both local and from SA)

4. The area in Taiwan that you are covering / responsible for; and

5. The amount of South Africans that responsible for.

After the documentation is submitted to LOSA, the ‘appointed Warden’ will be required to undertake an interview with officials from the LOSA. Should the appointed Warden meet the minimum requirements as indicated then the LOSA will sanction the appointment of a warden.