WOFIRE NEWS Saving Lives Protecting the Environment Restoring Dignity - Working on Fire
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VOLUME 9
WOFIRE NEWS
Saving Lives
edition 8 novemBER 2020
Protecting the Environment
Working on Fire
Restoring Dignity
Working on Fire - WOF TV News Channel @wo_fire
The Working on Fire family united
during a special virtual event to show
solidarity with victims of the COVID-19
pandemic and Gender-Based Violence
(GBV). The online gathering took
place on 26 November in response
to President Ramaphosa’s call for
5 days of national mourning from 25—29
November 2020.
Thulani Makosi, Fire Awareness
Training Officer for the Western Cape,
served as the programme director.
In his aaddress WOF Managing Xolani Gwala, a proud WOF alumnus are all connected in some way or another and communities so they can join the fight
Director, Trevor Abrahams, paid his who is now an Authorised Officer of the and we cannot ignore what is happening against COVID-19 and GBV,” says Floyd
respects to the victims and empathised Durban Metro Police, emphasised the around us.” Tshenkeng, Assistant HR officer for the
with their families. He stressed the importance of educating children about Ndlovu noted that there were WOF North West.
importance of continual adherence to gender equality and showing respect family members who have lost loved Regional Manager David Maake
COVID-19 health and safety measures in and love to all by being good examples. ones to GBV and COVID-19, and that they from WOF Limpopo says, “I would like
the face of a second wave of infections Capacity Development Manager for WOF needed everyone’s support at WOF. to pledge that, as of today, I will work
and pledged WOF’s support to help Social Development, Hlonipile Ndlovu, It is now our responsibility to pass towards making a difference. We as WOF
stop GBV. reminded the virtual audience that, “We this message on to our families, friends need to unite in fighting GBV.”
WOF Stand up against gender-based violence
Working on Fire joined the global Movember aims to raise awareness The second annual WOF Men’s ward solutions in areas of financial,
Movember movement in November around men’s health issues, such as high Conferences hosted by the WOF Social physical, mental and emotional
to encourage men to speak out blood pressure, prostate cancer, testicular Development department also took health. Specialist speakers and of-
against gender-based violence and cancer and male suicide. During this place in November, attended by WOF ficials from various organisations
also to take care of their health by month-long campaign, men are encour- managers and firefighters. encouraged everyone to speak out
maintaining a healthy lifestyle and aged to grow their moustaches – hence Attendees shared information on against gender-based violence and
going for regular checkups. the name ‘Movember’. men’s health challenges and put for- not to keep quiet about it.
An Expanded Public Works Programme implemented by the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries: Working on Fire Page 01
Western Cape celebrates 17 Years of Partnerships for Success
On 11 November, Working on Fire and to wish WOF many more years of with the most teams in the province. “Our
Western Cape celebrated 17 Years success. working relationship with the teams is
of Partnership for Success with key Overberg District Municipality’s Fire good and they play an important part in
external and internal stakeholders at Chief, Reinard Geldenhuys, commended helping us fight fires,” Van Zyl said.
the Wilderness Beach Hotel in the the good working relationship the The Head of Disaster Manage-
Southern Cape. municipality had developed with the ment at Stellenbosch Municipality,
External partners SANParks, pro- Programme over the years. “WOF has Shezayd Seigles, said the Fire Aware-
vincial Fire Protection Associations, been growing from strength to strength ness department had seen a decline in
WOF Western Cape participants and CapeNature and district municipalities and we wish you many more years of the number of shack fires in their area
partners at the 17 Years of Partnerships took to the stage to congratulate the success of protecting the environment,” since they began working with the
for Success celebrations
WOF programme for making it this far Geldenhuys said. Programme.
The chairman of the Southern Cape
Limakatso Khalianyane, Western Cape
Fire Protection Association, Deon van Provincial Communication Officer
Eastern Cape winter fire
Zyl, said they were proud to be the FPA
season draws to a close Working on Fire participants equipped
Working on Fire Eastern Cape firefight-
ers were hard at work saving lives and with structural firefighting skills
protecting the environment during the
Thirty Working on Fire firefighters
winter fire season that ended on 31
from the Western Cape, Eastern
October.
Cape and Gauteng are attending
Just under 600 firefighters stationed
structural firefighting training at
at 26 bases around the province were
the Rural Metro Training Academy,
dispatched to suppress fires in different
Pietermaritzburg.
areas of the province. A total of 157 fires
The training will add the ability
were recorded in the whole season, with
to assist their community-based fire
an estimated 14 976 hectares burnt. In Working on Fire Eastern Cape firefighters
assist at the Katberg fire that raged for stations with structural fires to their
the last month of the season, the teams
four days veld and forest firefighting skills.
assisted in the suppression of 22 fires.
The firefighters are undergoing
According to the Provincial Dispatch
O t h e r f i re s we re re co rd e d i n a rigorous 10-week training course
Coordinator, Ashlynn Goold, October Working on Fire firefighters conduct a
Mhlahlane and Mkhambathi, and the to acquire in-depth skills in fighting water suppression drill
was a very tough month and a high Fire
Manzamnyama plantation. structural fires.
Danger Index (FDI) on many days led to
The province has two fire seasons: Rural Metro Assistant Training Makhathini adds, “The team has
several call-outs to assist partners, which
the winter fire season in the eastern Manager, Dumisani Makhathini, says, four more weeks to go before their
included the Greater Stutterheim FPA,
part of the province, that begins in May “We are happy with the discipline of graduation day and they will be doing
Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency,
and ends in October, and the summer the Working on Fire participants at the practicals the majority of the time and
SANParks, Eastern Cape Umbrella FPA,
fire season in the western part of the academy and they are very interactive writing mock exams.”
Singisi Forest and Sakhisizwe FPA.
province, which begins in December and during theory and practical sessions,
Goold says the teams in the eastern Nompilo Zondi, KwaZulu-Natal
ends in April. which shows their keen interest and
part of the province – Mkhambathi, Provincial Communication Officer
All firefighters remain on high alert passion in firefighting.”
Manzamnyama, Ugie, Ongeluksnek,
and are ready to provide Integrated Fire
Nqadu, Langeni, Elliot, Cata, Hogsback,
Management Services to landowners,
Limpopo welcomes new recruits
Joe Gqabi, Mhlahlane and Libode – were
communities and local and district
called out the most. “In the past few days,
municipalities.
these teams have already suppressed
four fires, with one fire taking four days to
Nthabiseng Mokone, Eastern Cape
be contained at the Katberg plantation,”
Provincial Communication Officer
Goold says.
WOF KZN celebrates Marine Week
The Working on Fire KwaZulu-Natal
Communications Cluster, together
with WESSA, the South African Inter-
national Maritime Institute (SAIMI),
Wild Oceans and the eThekwini
Maritime Cluster, attended the recent
National Marine Week event at Trea- New Limpopo recruits celebrate their success during a graduation
sure Beach, Durban, at the invitation ceremony at the Kishugu Training Academy, Nelspruit
of the Department of Environment, WOF KZN Community Fire Awareness
Officer, Makhosi Dladla, conducts a
Forestry and Fisheries. Working on Fire Limpopo welcomed find employment after completing their
FireSafe presentation for learners at
South Africa enjoys the benefit the Marine Week exhibition new recruits after they completed their studies. Although she completed a course
of a long coastline comprising two 24-day basic firefighting training at in General Management at Sekhukhune
ocean environments that have not yet 150 learners from 10 different schools Kishugu Training Academy in Nelspruit, TVET College in 2016, she could not
been fully explored. The 2020 National within the eThekwini Metropolitan Mpumalanga. find a job.
Marine Week theme is ‘Innovation for Municipality. Thirty jubilant firefighters were WOF came to her rescue in Septem-
a Sustainable Ocean’. Dladla demonstrated how awarded their certificates for successfully ber 2020, when it hosted a recruitment
“National Marine Week, an an- wetlands clean the water and why completing the basic firefighting training drive in the province and she was selected
nual marine awareness campaign, it is important to preserve them, course. to be trained in basic firefighting. The
aims to raise awareness about the emphasising the need for education “The journey was not easy and very skills, experience and income that these
conservation of the ocean and to stop marginalised communities tough, with our level of strength tested,” 30 young men and women from disad-
coastal environments,” says WOF KZN burning functioning wetlands that can says Tumi Phetla, a newly graduated vantaged communities will gain at WOF
Community Fire Awareness Officer, provide a source of income. firefighter from Nebo Base. “During this will make a difference and contribute to
Makhosi Dladla. training, I learned the importance of the alleviation of poverty in Limpopo.
Nompilo Zondi, KwaZulu-Natal
Dladla attended the exhibition and Provincial Communication Officer being mentally and physically fit in this
conducted a FireSafe workshop for Matema Gwangwa, Limpopo
line of work.” Phetla is one of many Provincial Communication Officer
young South Africans who struggle to
Page 02 Working on Fire: An Expanded Public Works Programme implemented by the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries
MPU partners show appreciation to teams this winter fire season. Working on
Fire Mpumalanga teams assisted in the
suppression of 288 fires this season.
The Lowveld Escarpment Fire Protec- Integrated Fire Management exer-
tion Association (LEFPA) in Nelspruit, cises. The team, which is based at the
Mpumalanga, recognised the Work- LEFPA houses the LEFPA Team BirdLife South Africa Wakkerstroom
ing on Fire Injaka Team as the most and manages the Waterval Boven and Centre, was especially commended for
hardworking ground crew of the 2020 Mlambongwane teams. The FPA also assisting in suppressing a fire at the
winter fire season. utilises many teams in the Lowveld town’s wetland in September.
Injaka won a trophy and a R500 region when conducting various IFM Well done to the two teams for going
Shoprite gift card. The team, based services. above and beyond the call of duty on
at the Injaka Plantation, was recently The Wakkerstroom Team was also the fire line.
The Injaka Team show off their award absorbed into the new WOF Forestry recognised at the Wakkerstroom Tourism
from LEFPA for being the hardest-working Amanda Mthembu, Mpumalanga
Support Team that helps rehabilitate Association’s annual general meeting
ground crew in the Lowveld Provincial Communication Officer
f o re s t s a n d p l a n t a t i o n s t h ro u g h for their courageous efforts during
Vredenburg Team joins Rangers ready to fight wildfires
stakeholders in raising
wildfire awareness
Wildlife rangers attend a basic firefighting workshop at Modimolle
Working on Fire Limpopo, in partner- “We are working hard and closely
ship with the Modimolle Fire Protection with various stakeholders to create a
The Vredenburg Team teaches learners about Association, has assisted Wildlife fire-safe environment and community
fire safety at Riverlands Primary School
Ranching South Africa (WRSA) with a where everyone, including animals, will
basic firefighting workshop. live safely and in peace without the
The Fire Awareness department fear of losing their lives or properties to
In preparation for the upcoming The event aimed to ensure that
conducted a FireSafe workshop for wildfires,” he says.
summer fire season, the Working on the communities were informed about
the wildlife rangers from WRSA at the WOF is looking at establishing a
Fire Vredenburg Team in the Western the causes and risks of wildfires and
Modimolle Base, with the objective of long partnership with WRSA, wherein
Cape conducted a fire awareness knew how to prevent them from
equipping them with basic firefighting they will include fire awareness and basic
activity for the Grade 3 learners occurring.
techniques that would assist them if a firefighting training for all the wildlife
of the Chatsworth and Riverlands The Chatsworth and Riverlands
wildfire occurred at the reserve. rangers and students at the centre.
Primary Schools. communities are surrounded by indig-
“We are glad to be assisting the “The training that our wildlife rangers
The team was invited to do the enous fynbos and alien invasive plant
landowners and other institutions in received here is of good quality and with
awareness and join various partners species that are prone to wildfires,
equipping their employees or person- the experience that we have had with
as part of the wildfire awareness event which made it prudent to teach the
nel with firefighting skills. The more WOF over the past years, we are satisfied
spearheaded by the Greater Ceder- community and learners about fire
people are educated about the prevent- with their level of professionalism and the
berg Fire Protection Association, in safety.
ative measures to follow in eradicating techniques they are using,” says Professor
collaboration with Cape Nature Table
Limakatso Khalianyane, Western Cape the spread of wildfires, the safer it Piet du Plessis from WRSA.
Mountain Fund and Fire and Rescue in
Provincial Communication Officer will be for the environment,” says Sello
the West Coast District Municipality. Matema Gwangwa, Limpopo
Matlhare, the Community Fire Awareness
Provincial Communication Officer
Officer.
WOF continues to strengthen relationship with SANDF
Working on Fire Mpumalanga contin- various ports of entry within the
ues building its working relationship province.
with the South African National According to Siwela, the work-
Defence Force (SANDF), with Com- shops are aimed at empowering
munity Fire Awareness Officer (CFAO) military personnel with ways to avoid
Mbuso Siwela being a frequent visitor and minimise fire risks at their camps
to the SANDF Macadamia Military and the ports of entry.
Base in Nkomazi. “ WO F M p u m a l a n g a h a s a n
Siwela was again invited to pres- exceptional working relationship
ent FireSafe workshops to the military with the SANDF that spans over six
personnel and visited the base twice, years now and every time I receive
on 22 and 29 September. their invitation, I roll up my sleeves
The CFAO is always on the and rise to the occasion,” Siwela
SANDF ’s programme when new says.
soldiers attend a week-long workshop
Mpumalanga Community Fire Awareness Officer, Mbuso
training schedule before deployment Amanda Mthembu, Mpumalanga
Siwela, is a regular at the Macadamia Military Base
Provincial Communication Officer
to the Kruger National Park and
An Expanded Public Works Programme implemented by the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries: Working on Fire Page 03
Participant moves
up the ranks to Former firefighter now an
Assistant General Assistant General Manager
Manager Nkululeko Mlanjeni, a former Working 2 Crew Leader, Regional Manager and
on Fire firefighter from the Stut- eventually Ground Operations Manager.
terheim Team in the Eastern Cape, His journey was not easy, but hard work
says, “You must set goals for yourself and dedication helped him to make a
and work hard to achieve them.” habit of success.
Mlanjeni joined the WOF Pro- In October, Mlanjeni was appointed
gramme in 2007 at the Stutterheim the Assistant General Manager of the
Base. “When I heard WOF was recruit- province and he is already working
ing in Stutterheim, I saw an opportu- closely with the General Manager to
nity to turn my life around. I tried my manage WOF Eastern Cape.
luck and fortunately I got selected,”
Mlanjeni says.
Nthabiseng Mokone, Eastern Cape Nkululeko Mlanjeni is the new Assistant
The former firefighter rose through General Manager of the Eastern Cape
Provincial Communication Officer
the ranks, becoming a Type 1 and Type
Popularly known as ‘Manase’, Mole- was recently promoted to Assistant my years of employment in the Working
batsi Mpholoane has served WOF in General Manager in the Free State. on Fire programme,” Mpholoane says.
Molebatsi Manase Mpholoane is the new
Working on Fire Free State Assistant various capacities and provinces, often “This is a great opportunity and will
General Manager leaving his family behind in service to enable me to test the extensive knowl- Wayne Mokhethi, Free State
Provincial Communication Officer
the Programme. edge and experience I have acquired in all
Very few can claim to have been part Mpholoane entered WOF as a fire-
of the Working on Fire Programme from fighter in 2004 and enjoyed regular
its very beginning, not merely staying
in it but thriving and steadily moving
promotions, rising from Crew Leader to
Regional Manager to Ground Operations
Western Cape sends 20 firefighters
through the ranks while building an
impressive track record in Integrated
Manager. His sterling track record of
selflessness and immaculate people
for structural firefighting training
Fire Management services. management were rewarded when he Twenty Working on Fire firefighters
from the Western Cape have been
sent for structural firefighting train-
ABET student excited
ing in Pietermaritzburg, to add a
dimension to their veld and forest
firefighting skill sets.
about the future
The firefighters will undergo a
gruelling 10-weeks’ training to acquire
in-depth skills in fighting structural
Working on Fire established an Adult fires that will be assets to their local fire
Basic Education and Training (ABET) stations and their communities.
Firefighters about to leave the province
programme in 2019 to give firefight- The training includes Firefighting, for structural firefighting training
ers a second chance to complete Hazmat awareness as well as First
matric. Some of the first students Aid Level 3. After completing the who has been with WOF for the past
passed their modules and received training, they will be placed in various eight years.
their certificates earlier this year. municipalities to obtain on-the-job “I am grateful to have been se-
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, training until March 2021, when the lected for the structural firefighting
classes were put on hold this year. extension of the experiential training training. Ever since I have joined
However, since the lockdown lev- will be reviewed. Working on Fire, my has life changed
els have been eased, classes have Eleven of the firefighters from forever as I found that fighting fires is
resumed. KwaZulu-Natal uMngeni Albertinia will be placed at Hessequa my passion and is something I want to
firefighter, Maxwell Ngubane, is ex- Local Municipality, four from Tulbagh do for the rest of my life. I am happy
cited to be in class again. Ngubane Firefighter Maxwell Ngubane is excited at Witzenberg, and the remaining five that I am going to learn a new dimen-
was recruited into the programme in that the ABET classes will resume from Uniondale at the Oudtshoorn sion of firefighting,” Adams says.
2011 at the Shafton Base. Local Municipality.
He says, “I joined WOF straight have goals I would love to achieve One of those selected is Crew Limakatso Khalianyane, Western Cape
after high school, this was my first one day. My family is proud and Provincial Communication Officer
Leader Jowayne Adams from Tulbagh,
job.” very supportive during my studies.
He adds that he didn’t get the They also assist in explaining when
best results in his certificate.
Ngubane says, “A lot of us have
I don’t understand my homework
assignments,” he says. HAT participant
different reasons why we couldn’t
complete our schooling due to various
In encouraging other firefighters
who either didn’t do well or couldn’t
appreciates
circumstances and family dynamics.
“I was very happy for the op-
complete Grade 12 he advises, “Leave
pride and your age aside and focus on learning skills
portunity to study for free while still your dreams as these certificates can Thembikaya Kitsana, a participant from
working. It is a once in a lifetime open doors for you.” the Addo High Altitude Team (HAT) in
opportunity. Last year, I completed Ngubane appreciates the oppor- the Eastern Cape, thanks the Working
my English level 2 and mathematics tunity that WOF gave him and hopes on Fire Programme for all the skills he Thembikaya Kitsana thanks the WOF
literacy level 1.” that all the bases can participate in the has acquired. Programme for making him a better person
He says he enjoyed his classes as ABET programme. Although he is not Kitsana joined the Programme in
the educator was very helpful and he yet sure which career path he would 2011 as a rope access technician. The luckily I succeeded and was recruited,”
was never too afraid to ask questions like to pursue, he hopes to complete more than 80 HAT participants based at Kitsana says.
when he didn’t understand. Ngubane all his modules so that he can take seven bases throughout the Eastern Cape Having recently completed the
was very proud to get 78% in both future opportunities to study further. need specialist skills to access mountain driver course, the young man is now on
subjects. catchments where invasive plant species probation to become a WOF driver.
“I am very excited and optimistic Nompilo Zondi, KwaZulu-Natal
Provincial Communication Officer threaten the water supply.
about continuing my studies as I Nthabiseng Mokone, Eastern Cape
“I was not sure if I was going to make
Provincial Communication Officer
it through all the fitness requirements, but
Page 04 Working on Fire: An Expanded Public Works Programme implemented by the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries
Food security project
feeds 10 families
Working on Fire Limpopo’s Alma Team our base can be able to produce fresh
made a difference to the community of vegetables,” Tlou says.
Alma through their food security project They donated the first harvest to
recently, when they donated vegetables 10 families in their community after
from their garden to 10 families. they worked with community leaders to
Type 2 Crew Leader David Tlou, and identify the families who needed support
firefighter Jacob Sekanka initiated the the most.
establishment of the vegetable garden at The two colleagues are planning to
their base, with the objective of feeding expand both the size of their vegetable
their communities during the COVID-19 garden and the variety of vegetables,
national lockdown. The duo used their to grow enough to feed more families.
own money to buy seedlings to begin the They are also looking to establish a
vegetable garden. bigger garden for their community that
“We saw it as beneficial to make a will provide fresh vegetables to needy
Alma Team participants difference in our community during this families.
donating vegetables to difficult time and we began small by
needy families Matema Gwangwa, Limpopo
buying a few packets of spinach seedlings
Provincial Communication Officer
for our garden, just to test if the soil at
Mpumalanga men gather KZN firefighter receives
to discuss burning issues donations after arson attack
Thembelani Duma shows the extent of the damage
after his structure was destroyed by a fire
Men of Working on Fire Mpumalanga listen attentively
to speakers during the annual Men’s Conference
KwaZulu Natal Ixopo Base firefighter behalf to assist him in requesting
Thembelani Duma is grateful to be donations.
The men of the Working on Fire Mpu- on issues relevant to them. The men alive after his home was a target The WOF KwaZulu-Natal pro-
malanga Provincial Office, National soaked up information from different of arson. vincial management stepped in to
head office, national HAT staff and 24 speakers on the day, including a pre- Duma and his younger brother, support Duma in his time of need,
firefighters from the provincial bases sentation on money matters from FNB who is in Grade 12, were sleeping donating clothes, groceries and appli-
gathered at the Mpumalanga Tourism consultant, Mr Sgudla. in the house when the fire broke ances. Other managers have pledged
and Parks Auditorium on 20 November Motivational speaker, Ronnie Masilela, out. further assistance where possible
for the province’s second annual Work- gave a talk on marriage and partnerships, “My brother and I lost everything to help Duma get back on his feet.
ing on Fire Men’s Conference. while the Department of Health offered in this fire. However, I am so grateful “My family and I are humbled
The conference, organised by the various free health checks. none of us got seriously injured as by this gesture from my manage-
WOF Social Development department, you can never replace someone’s ment and it is great to know that
Amanda Mthembu, Mpumalanga life,” Duma says. even though this is a personal issue,
gave the men a safe platform to discuss Provincial Communication Officer
burning issues and get more information Although the attack happened the Programme still supports us as
outside the workplace during Duma’s employees,” Duma says.
personal time, Ixopo Base Com-
Nompilo Zondi, KwaZulu-Natal
North West Men’s Forum
munications Representative, Mthobisi
Provincial Communication Officer
Dlamini, reported the matter on his
focuses on health and GBV
Working on Fire North West held its of poor health on life, how men’s health
second Men’s Forum on 20 November contributes to GBV and how to get
at the ALS Travel Lodge. help.
This year’s forum focused on what WOF North West Social Develop-
men want to achieve, men’s role in ment Practitioner, Peter Mampuru, said
society, WOF’s zero tolerance of gender- GBV is a pandemic and they need to work
based violence and awareness regarding together as men and put a stop to it.
men’s health. “We know we cannot reach everyone,
The forum was attended by WOF but the best thing we can do as colleagues
male managers, male participants, WOF is to work through personal challenges
boy scouts and representatives from the and whatever we learn from this forum
Department of Health. should be taken to our communities,”
Ompi Ramasimung from the Depart- Mampuru said.
ment of Health addressed the importance
Maria Letsholo, North West WOF North West held a successful Men’s Forum with various stakeholders
of men’s health, how men should learn
Provincial Communication Officer
to take care of themselves, the effects
An Expanded Public Works Programme implemented by the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries: Working on Fire Page 05
Free State building for
the future
Working on Fire Free State has gone only for the management but for the
through tremendous change in terms participants, while being mindful that
of the management structure. To ensure these solutions would have a ripple effect
that staff members remain on track on the entire province.
with the direction of the Programme “The session gave us the opportunity
in the province, Free State General to provide our opinions and thus it was
Manager, Antoinette Jini, organised a very effective in rebuilding the morale of
team-building session for staff members the individuals involved. We spent a large
to voice their concerns and provide amount of time deliberating issues and I
their inputs. truly believe that we can only go up from
The staff used the opportunity and here,” Jini says.
Free State General Manager Antoinette Jini facilitates a team-building the platform to make their voices heard
session for the Free State management staff and raise their frustrations and sugges- Wayne Mokhethi, Free State
Provincial Communication Officer
tions for the successful way forward, not
Limpopo Grade 10 learners Reach for the skies
eloquently air their views by Ntswaki Lebakeng
Fly, fly, little wings,
Fly beyond your imagination,
Reach the skies above.
Fly, fly, little wings,
Say hello to the stars up there.
The sky is never the limit,
For surely anything is possible.
Fly, fly, little wings,
I know you might feel exhausted,
Giving up is never the solution,
But an addition to your troubles.
Ntswaki Lebakeng (Free State)
Go on…Fly little wings,
Upon you, the sun will shine.
None will ever imagine your
struggle,
Lebogang Mphahlele, from Ditlalemeso Secondary School, celebrates winning her ‘best But they will honour your success
speaker’ title at the 2020 Working on Fire School Debate competition instead.
Working on Fire Limpopo pulled off its topics that affect society and the impacts
annual provincial school fire awareness of wildfires on them. educators and learners had been retained Lebogang Mphahlele, from Ditla-
debate competition, despite the COVID- The WOF Fire Awareness Officers and passed on to the new learners in the lemeso Secondary School, was crowned
19 pandemic. Grade 10 learners from six engaged with the schools that took part same grades. the best speaker of the competition.
schools in different municipalities took in the 2019 school debate competition Adjudicators from the Department of Winners were awarded trophies and
part in the annual school debate. to prepare them for the unusual 2020 the Environment, Forestry and Fisheries certificates.
Due to the pandemic, the school version. and WOF identified the winners from the
debate competition was held virtually. By revisiting these schools, the Fire supplied videos. Mbilwi Secondary School
Matema Gwangwa, Limpopo
Schools submitted recorded videos of Awareness Officers wanted to assess if was declared the debate competition
Provincial Communication Officer
their teams’ arguments on environmental the previous knowledge instilled in the champion for the second time.
Free State Social
Development department
talks financial management
The Working on Fire Social Develop- staff, facilitated by consultants from First
ment department strives to ensure National Bank.
the well-being of all participants and The consultants taught the staff
staff by hosting regular training and members about budgeting, investing,
workshop sessions that equip them with saving and good financial behaviour,
the knowledge and skills to contribute among other topics.
meaningfully to society. These sessions will ensure that
The department often utilises the the workshop participants are better
skills of professionals and experts in other informed and enabled to make wise
fields, as was the case when the Free financial decisions.
State Social Development Practitioner
hosted a Financial Management session Wayne Mokhethi, Free State The Social Development department ensures Free State staff are financially savvy
Provincial Communication Officer
for the WOF Free State management
Page 06 Working on Fire: An Expanded Public Works Programme implemented by the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries
New recruit excited to be part of HAT
Zandile Qhamisa Katoo, from Hankey many young people in the rural areas greatest thing that has ever happened
in the western part of the Eastern of Eastern Cape and the reasons why to me as it will change my life for the
Cape, was overjoyed at being given an many young people end up in crime,” better.”
opportunity to work in the Working Katoo says.
Nthabiseng Mokone, Eastern Cape
on Fire High Altitude Team (HAT) “I was lucky enough to be selected
Provincial Communication Officer
programme. and getting this opportunity was the
Katoo was one of many youth strug-
gling with unemployment until she was
recently recruited to the Baviaanskloof
HAT Team in September as a rope access
technician.
Thank you Working
Zandile Katoo is a new recruit for the
Baviaanskloof HAT Team
“Unemployment and poverty are the
biggest stumbling blocks to success for
on Fire for making me
a better person
Gauteng firefighter plans
recycling business
Janie Waterman is a recently recruited firefighter
Working on Fire has been steadily at the Boskop Team.
implementing its mandate and “It was very difficult at home
Njabulo Nzimande is committed showing its commitment to creating before joining WOF as I was raised
to protecting the environment by
promoting recycling in Zonke Sizwe employment opportunities and by a single mother. Now I am able to
restoring dignity for thousands of provide for my mother and siblings
young men and women in mar- with the stipend I am earning from
Working on Fire Gauteng firefighter, recyclers,” says Nzimande, who is his ginalised communities across the Working on Fire,” says Waterman.
Njabulo Nzimande of the Suikerbosrand family’s sole breadwinner. country. “I would like to thank WOF for
Team, is committed to protecting the Even after his recruitment, Nzimande Janie Waterman is one such giving me the opportunity to be part
environment, not only through firefight- continued to recycle every day to improve youth. She was one of many young of the family and for giving me the
ing but by collecting usable waste for the poor situation at home. people who attended a recruitment skills, discipline and confidence to
recycling in his home community of The firefighter has managed to use drive of the North West Boskop Base have better opportunities and for
Zonke Sizwe. his stipend to finance an old Mazda 323 where she passed the tough WOF changing me for the better,” she
“There was no one working at the sedan that is facilitating his recycling busi- recruitment fitness tests, including the says.
home, hunger was the order of the day. ness. He is hoping to expand his recycling timed 2,4 km run, push-ups and pull-
Before joining the Programme, I walked venture into a proper business. ups and had a successful interview.
Maria Letsholo, North West
15 kilometres every day to collect papers, She was appointed as a veld and
Provincial Communication Officer
plastics and aluminum cans around Parapara Makgahlela, Gauteng forest firefighter on 25 August 2020
Provincial Communication Officer
Vosloorus and Spruitview to sell to
Gauteng’s Mr Fix-It
Simon Bodiba, a firefighter from the sacks are expensive to buy and instead of
Working on Fire Gauteng Dinokeng burning them, they are repaired and put
Team, has a knack for repairs. In fact, to best use again,” says Mphela.
he’s become WOF Gauteng’s go-to per- General Manager Stephen Boyes says
son for fixing hand tools and personal the province is fully behind the project
protective equipment (PPE). and wants to see it succeed.
Among others, Bodiba repairs “The faults in the knapsacks, beaters,
knapsacks, fire beaters, rake hoes, drip brush cutters, inter alia, are mostly very
torches, double-edged slashers, grass minor and fixable,” Boyes says.
slashers and fire helmets. Bodiba says he is happy his skills at
Assistant Project Manager Phineas repairing and maintaining the PPE are
Mphela selected Bodiba because he is helping the WOF Programme.
the best at repairing and maintaining the
Parapara Makgahlela, Gauteng Simon Bodiba, a firefighter from the Dinokeng Team, is Gauteng’s
tools. “His skills help save the Programme Mr Fix-It when it comes to personal protective equipment
Provincial Communication Officer
the money it needs most because knap-
An Expanded Public Works Programme implemented by the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries: Working on Fire Page 07
WOF gave
Boskop storeperson not
firefighter a
defined by disability
career focus
A former firefighter of the now-defunct
Bekkersdal Base, Masebueng Mochoa,
says the Working on Fire programme
has shaped and sharpened her for the
future. She joined the programme in
2013, in the West Rand.
“I had a very nice journey at Working
on Fire and I endorse it as the flagship
and the most progressive poverty relief
programme,” Mochoa says.
The former firefighter spoke posi-
Tsietsi More is the storeperson at
tively about the levels of discipline and the North West Boskop Base
respect embedded in her while in the
Programme.
Tsietsi More joined Working on Fire “I would like to thank WOF for
“Working on Fire helped me to be
in July 2019 as a storeperson for the giving me the opportunity to be a
a better person. I want to thank Selaelo
Boskop Team. part of the family and to prove my
Mathakwane, who currently serves as a
Masebueng Mochoa credits WOF with “Growing up, people tended capabilities and strength,” he says.
Social Development Officer in Limpopo, shaping her career destination. to think because I am disabled, I South Africa commemorates
because she contributed to my WOF
am also unfit. However, my parents National Disability Rights Awareness
journey,” she says. ment Officer in the Office of the Gauteng
knew I was not mentally unfit and Month annually between 3 November
Mochoa urges her former col- Premier.
perfectly fine,” More says. and 3 December. The country also
leagues to focus on their goals and the
Parapara Makgahlela, Gauteng Despite his childhood challenges commemorates International Day
rewards should follow. She is currently
Provincial Communication Officer and the attitudes of uninformed of Persons Living with disabilities on
working as a Security and Risk Manage-
people, More became a certified IT 3 December.
specialist after completing the course
at Boston City Campus and Business Maria Letsholo, North West
Base Manager was
Provincial Communication Officer
College.
motivated by failure Talented firefighter will
carry North West’s hopes at
Port Elizabeth marathon
Former firefighter Ntombesizwe Jafta, now Base Manager for the Sedgefield
Base, wants to set an example for female firefighters
Ntombesizwe Jafta joined Working After serving as a Type 2 Crew
on Fire as a firefighter in 2013 at the Leader for six years, Jafta was pro-
Eden Base in the Southern Cape and moted and became a base manager
attended the Type 2 Crew Leader for the Sedgefield Base.
course a year later. “I was not even expecting to get
Jafta served as a Type 2 Crew it. I was just applying because my
Leader for two years and was sent heart said I must do it. When I got it,
to the Type 1 Crew Leader course, I was so excited,” Jafta says.
which she failed. Her goal is to work hand-in-hand Long-distance runner Joel Mmone will represent the North West in Port Elizabeth
The former firefighter says with her new team and motivate
failing the Type 1 Crew Leader them to believe nothing is impossible,
Working on Fire North West firefighter, “I was selected to represent North
course did not discourage her from especially for the women.
Joel Mmone from the Boskop Team, West at the Port Elizabeth Marathon
moving up the ranks in the pro- “It takes hard work and dedication
will be representing the North West at Championships and, with the vigorous
gramme. to reach your goals. Since joining
the Port Elizabeth Marathon Champion- training I have been doing and racing
“Even though I did not make it, I WOF, I have learned there is nothing
ships. against tough competition from countries
worked hard to prove myself. It was impossible in life,” Jafta says.
The firefighter credits his selection like Kenya and Ethiopia, I am very happy
not easy to work with men, being the
Limakatso Khalianyane, Western Cape
to the daily fitness regimes conducted to have been chosen,” Mmone says.
only woman, but I managed to pull
Provincial Communication Officer at his base, which keep him very fit and
through,” Jafta says. Maria Letsholo, North West
able to run endurance races to fulfill his
Provincial Communication Officer
passion for athletics.
Page 08 Working on Fire: An Expanded Public Works Programme implemented by the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries
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