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WOFIRE NEWSSaving LivesVOLUME 9edition 5Programmecontributes toSA’s fight againstclimate changePresident Cyril Ramaphosa’s weeklymessage emphasised the important rolesof programmes like Working on Fire in thefight against climate changeAfter announcing the reduction of thenational lockdown to level 2 recently,President Cyril Ramaphosa stressedthe importance of the recovery of oureconomy which has been seriouslyimpacted by the ongoing COVID-19pandemic.In striving to rebuild the economy,the country is looking at creating opportunities to build a new, inclusiveeconomy that creates employment andfosters sustainable growth.In his weekly message, the Presidentclearly placed the care of the environment in the centre of this vision of a neweconomy, stating that it must be able towithstand the effects of climate change.“We already have a National GreenFund, the Working for Water and Work-Protecting the EnvironmentAUGUST 2020Working on FireWorking on Fire - WOF TV News Channel@wo fireWOF unites to recognise andhonour frontline workersOn Friday, 28 August, Workingon Fire staff, participants andpartners throughout South Africaobserved a ‘Moment of Unity andReflection’ to acknowledge andhonour frontline workers for theircommitment and sacrifice.Participants used the opportunity to also pray for protectionagainst COVID-19, give thanksfor the healing and relief of thosewho are affected and pay theirrespects to those who have succumbed to the pandemic.Te a m s g a t h e re d a t b a s e sa n d p rov i n c i a l o f f i c e s , w h i l ethose who were unable to physically attend dialled into the onl i n e eve n t d u r i n g w h i c h t h eWorking on Fire Managing Director,Trevor Abrahams, addressed theattendees.Abrahams discussed the currentCOVID-19 status in the country andits effect on the extended WOFfamily.“Even though the statistics regarding the infection rates seem to begoing down, the virus is still out there,”he warned.H e e n c o u ra g e d s t a f f t o s t ayvigilant, adhere to the necessary healthprecautions and take special care oftheir mental health. He also honouredfrontline workers and paid tributeto those negatively affected.He concluded by saying: “Thisis a very unique and trying time.I ask us all to pull together ourmental strength and determinationto work together to defeat thispandemic.”ing on Fire public employment programmes and the National Treasury’sCities Support Programme,” PresidentCyril Ramaphosa said. “The additionalbenefit of positioning our country asa significant global player in thisspace is that we will be able to drawon these green funding sources andinstruments.”The Katberg Forestry team silently observe Working on Fire’sMoment of Unity and Reflection for frontline workersWomen’s Forums empower WOF womenWith August being Women’s Month,Working on Fire provinces held theirannual Women’s Forums, with thefocus and theme of this year being‘celebrating women leadership’.Due to the COVID-19 pandemic,some provinces held the forumsvirtually. KwaZulu-Natal and Gautengheld in-person workshops that strictlyadhered to COVID-19 regulations.The main objectives of theseforums are to empower womenwithin the WOF organisation, tocelebrate and arm them with leadership skills, share achievementsand challenges, especially duringCOVID-19, and discuss ideas andsuggestions for helping WOF womenstart businesses.Restoring DignityWOF Gauteng women discuss varioustopics during their Women’s ForumWO F M p u m a l a n g a k i c ke d o f fthe forums on 7 August with aWhatsApp group discussion onvarious topics, including genderbased violence (GBV) and possibleprojects the women could begin as aprovince.Working on Fire KwaZulu-Natalparticipants stand strong after theirannual Women’s ForumWOF Limpopo also held its forum virtually on 12 August, inviting 30women to discuss topics that had beenproposed, and a new programme ofmonthly conferences, to assist WOFwomen to discuss approaches to dealing with challenges specific to women.WOF Eastern Cape’s virtualconference on 14 August featuredFarida Myburgh from the Masimanyane Women’s Support Centre,who educated the women on GBV.Kw a Z u l u - N a t a l h e l d t h e i rforum at the WOF provincial office.The guest speaker was NqobileXu l u N e n e, Ed i to r - i n - C h i e f o fBeads Magazine and Group CEOof BLAN Group. Topics discussed:ways that actions could betaken against GBV and possibleways of getting women into business.WOF G auteng held itsforum at the provincial office on18 August, which hosted guestspeaker Busisiwe Mzandolo, asocial worker and motivationalspeaker from the Women of Powerorganisation.An Expanded Public Works Programme implemented by the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries: Working on FirePage 01
Get to know our womenProvincial General ManagersAugust is Women’s Month and this year’s theme was ‘Generation Equality: Realising Women’s Rights for an Equal Future’.Did you know that Working on Fire has four women General Managers, the same number as their male counterparts?We asked these phenomenal women to tell us more about themselves and reflect on what matters to women who work.Phumza DyantyiEastern Cape General ManagerAntoinette JiniFree State General ManagerMelany Duthie-SurtieWestern Cape General ManagerNoluvuyo MashologuNorth West General ManagerQ: Tips on managing motherhood andwork?A: Make sure you do as much of yourwork in the office as you can so thatwhen you get home your attention ison your children.Q: Tips on managing motherhood andwork?A: I put my work achievements andgoals above that of my personal life. Iwould say I am 90 percent focused onwork and 10 percent on my family life,which is difficult to balance. However,my kids have learned independencethrough it all.Q: Tips on managing motherhood andwork?A: Managing two children is not easy,especially since they both enjoy myattention. Luckily, I have a very goodsupport system; my husband andsome of my family and friends. So,when I have to leave for work-relatedtrips they come into play, which allowsme to juggle both.Q: Tips on managing motherhood andwork?A: The key is planning and prioritisingyour duties and managing yourtime. I must say some days aremore hectic than others, but as amother, you need to stay focusedand make time for your family – theyneed you.Q: Advice to women aspiring to enterleadership?A: Never lose sight of your goals andyour dreams. You will encounterobstacles along the way. Some ofthem will make you want to give up,but keep on and hold on. You willovercome the obstacles and reachyour goals.Q: How do you relax after a long day ofwork? What do you do in your freetime?A: M y r e l a x a t i o n t i m e i s s p e n twith my family. I love my childrenand whenever I am home withthem, we talk and tell stories.We laugh a lot and tease each other.My children and my husband are likemy friends – we talk about everything.Q: What keeps you going when thegoing gets tough?A: Prayer and knowing that my childrenlook up to me keep me going. Iwant to be a role model for them, tomake them understand that they canachieve anything.Q: Advice to women aspiring to enterleadership?A: Young women must take the batonand run with it and never give up. Riseup above all obstacles and walk tall.This job needs a lot of courage andbravery, so never underestimate thepower in you.Q: How do you relax after a long day ofwork? What do you do in your freetime?A: I enjoy yoga and I do some running.It keeps me in shape and healthy.Keeping mentally and physically fit isimportant in our field of work. I alsogo on hiking trails and enjoy readingleadership books by John Maxwell.Q: What keeps you going when the goinggets tough?A: I find strength in prayer. I also takea walk in a quiet environment andconnect with nature. Listening toworship music revives my spirit andgives me inner strength and peace.Q: Advice to women aspiring to enterleadership?A: In order to be a manager, it is veryimportant that you stay focused andbe disciplined. You need to have a goalin mind and work towards it. Dreambig because if you don’t, you will notgo anywhere in life. Having goals anddreams structures your journey in life.Q: How do you relax after a day of work?What do you do in your free time?A: I love outdoor activities. I like to gohiking, camping and I am a motorbikerider. I also like reading and spendingtime with my family.Q: What keeps you going when the goinggets tough?A: My primary values are to trust my gutand to depend on what I know is important. The support from colleaguesand family also keeps me going. Mydetermination to reach the desiredgoal, even if it seems far, motivates me.Free State celebrates Arbor Week with DEFFThe country annually celebratesArbor Month in the first week ofSeptember and this year, the Department of Environment, Forestry andFisheries (DEFF) will launch ArborMonth in Thaba ’Nchu, Free State,with a number of stakeholders,including Working on Fire.The WOF Thaba ’Nchu Team andthe Mangaung Metro MunicipalityParks and Recreation departmentare preparing the site where thelaunch will be hosted by clearing thearea of litter and weeds. The teamPage 02will thereafter plant indigenous treesto promote sustainable environmentalmanagement.DEFF Deputy Minister, Ms MakhotsoSotyu, will dedicate the site as a specialCOVID-19 memorial in honour of thosewho have succumbed to this deadlydisease. The site will serve the town asa green space. The event kicks off aweek of Arbor Month activities acrossthe country.Wayne Mokhethi, Free StateProvincial Communication OfficerThe Working on Fire Free State Thaba’Nchu Team prepare the site for theNational Arbor Week Launch eventQ: Advice to women aspiring to enterleadership?A: L e a d e r s h i p m e a n s l e a d i n g byexample, so it is important to notethat you are leading a team andyou need to have them walkingthe same path with you. Your teamneeds to know your plans andw h e r e yo u a r e l e a d i n g t h e m .Open yourself to other team members’ ideas and make informeddecisions. Hence, communication iskey. You cannot do it alone, so remember that you are still a woman.Therefore, manage with empathy,without necessarily sacrificing yourvalues and the quality of your work.Q: How do you relax after a longday?A: Our jobs are challenging, especiallyas women, so we always have to hitthe ground running. As long as thedays are, when I get home I becomea mother to my four kids. I watchtelevision with them. Oftentimes, Ifind myself watching cartoons withthem without even noticing. At theend of the day, I am a mother.Q: What keeps you going when the goinggets tough?A: It is knowing my purpose. Keeping focused, and most importantly,seeking strength and wisdom fromthe Almighty. Being mentally andphysically fit is important in ourfield of work. Like Antoinette, I alsogo on hiking trails and enjoy readingleadership books by John Maxwell.I draw strength from prayer andf i n d l i ste n i n g to g o s p e l m u s i crevives my spirit and gives mepeace. Engaging physically withnature and taking walks in quietplaces also helps.Working on Fire: An Expanded Public Works Programme implemented by the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries
KwaZulu-Natal teamscombat 64 firesWorking on Fire KwaZulu-Natal teamshave seen a peak in fires since the startof the 2020 winter fire season.The teams assisted in combatting64 fires, in which 12 689 hectares ofvegetation were burned. WOF aerialsupport flew a total of 15.41 hours duringthese suppression operations.WOF KZN General Manager, SifisoKeswa, says, “We responded to 22 morefires in the month of July compared toJune and in some regions, teams had tosplit up to attend to multiple fire call-outsLimpopoparticipantsprepare for fireseason peakLimpopopreparescommunitiesfor the peakin fire seasonin one day.” Keswa says some teamsworked around the clock to suppressthe Msunduzi Dump fire that raged foreight days.“On a more positive side, comparedto the previous year’s fires, we haveseen and are happy with the decrease ofunwanted fires,” he says.WOF KZN is on high alert, with over700 firefighters at 30 bases on standby toassist in combatting unwanted fires.Nompilo Zondi, KwaZulu-NatalProvincial Communication OfficerFirefighters at the dump fireMpumalanga WOF teamssuppress 74 fires in JulyWOF Ermelo participants ingood spirits after successfullysuppressing a fireLimpopo’s Modimolle participantsassist landowners in suppressingwildfiresMore than 600 Working on Firep a r t i c i p a n t s , st at i o n e d at 2 5bases throughout Limpopo, are onstandby and ready to be deployedto assist in fire suppression activities during this winter fire season,which could last to the end ofNovember 2020.During the April to July 2020period, WOF Limpopo was calledout to suppress 64 fires and managed to limit the damage to 1 982hectares of burnt vegetation andforests.According to Matema Gwangwa, the Provincial CommunicationOfficer, the province faces twodangers this fire season: in wildfiresand the COVID-19 pandemic.“The safety of our participantsis important, in both firefightingand making sure they do not catchthe COVID-19 virus, and we have aresponsibility to keep them safe onboth fronts,” Gwangwa says.COVID-19 safety rules andregulations are applied and adheredto across the province at all WOFbases and on the fire line.Matema Gwangwa, LimpopoProvincial Communication OfficerThe 2020 winter fire season is at itspeak and the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries’ Workingon Fire firefighters in Mpumalangaworked with several Fire ProtectionAssociations to suppress 74 veld andforest fires during July.A total of 20 teams were dispatchedto assist their FPAs and local municipalities in fire suppression operations.WOF aerial resources providedaerial firefighting assistance to theground crews and flew a total of 108.21hours during the operations.Teams are experiencing a challenging fire season due to the unpredict-able weather patterns and the COVID-19pandemic. However, WOF continuesto partner with provincial government departments, municipalities,FPAs, private and public landowners,to minimise the dire effects of veld andforest fires.When not combatting fires, the teamsare hard at work conducting IntegratedFire Management services with variousstakeholders, including fire preventionmeasures in the form of firebreaks andfuel load reduction.Amanda Mthembu, MpumalangaProvincial Communication OfficerHAT participants reduce invasivealien plants at local nature reserveInvasive alien plants are a commonproblem in nature reserves throughoutthe country. The Working on Fire HighAltitude Teams (HAT) play an importantrole in protecting the environment byclearing the invasive alien plants fromrough terrain and the Limpopo HATteam works closely with local natureand game reserves.The team was recently requested toassist with clearing pine and black wattlefrom the famous Wolkberg WildernessReserve.“ U p o n o u r a r r i va l , we s e t u pcamp and began by mapping thearea, a total of 364 hectares, to enablethe team to work according to a planand also focus on the target,” saysLimpopo’s CFAO, Sello Matlhare,equips landowners with veldfiresuppression techniquesThe peak of the 2020 winter fireseason is approaching, with anincreasingly high probability ofwildfires.Wo r k i n g o n F i re L i m p o p oCommunity Fire Awareness Officer(CFAO), Sello Matlhare, partneredwith the Modimolle Fire ProtectionAssociation and Rooiberg BewariaSector Fire Protection Associationand embarked on a campaign ofworkshops to prepare landownersand communities for the peak of thewinter fire season.“During these workshops, I trainthe farmers and farm workers on thebasic veld and forest firefightingtechniques as this enables themto control the fire from spreadingfaster while they wait for assistancefrom our firefighters or the municipalteams,” Matlhare says.Farmers and workers from theNyathi Game Farm and MpatamachaWildlife Centre outside Leseding,together with landowners at Vingerkraal, were active participants in theworkshops, showing their determination to protect their environment andproperties.“Our main aim is to transferfirefighting skills to all members ofthe Fire Protection Associations aswell as the communities at large,with the intention of making sure thattheir fire season preparedness is upto scratch,” Matlhare says.Matema Gwangwa, LimpopoProvincial Communication OfficerHAT Limpopo participants clear invasivealien plants at the Wolkberg WildernessReserve outside TzaneenCharlotte Netshivhuyi, HAT RegionalManager in Limpopo.Netshivhuyi says the area the teamworked in was infested with 80 percentdensity of pine and five percent of blackwattle.HAT participants treated the vegetation with Kaput gel (a herbicide) and onlycut down small trees.“It took our team a period of twoweeks to complete this project andalthough there were challenges, such asthe extremely cold weather, my team dida great job,” Netshivhuyi says.Matema Gwangwa, LimpopoProvincial Communication OfficerAn Expanded Public Works Programme implemented by the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries: Working on FirePage 03
Take COVID-19 seriously,says firefighterKrugersdorp firefighter, Mpho Mokgosi,recently tested positive for the COVID19 coronavirus and is grateful that shesurvived to share her story.Mokgosi says she experienced severesymptoms, it was difficult to breatheand she completely lost her appetitefor food.“It felt like I was going to succumbto the deadly virus given my history withtuberculosis. I know some people arescared to test but we need to changethe attitude towards the virus and thetesting thereof,” Mokgosi says, addingthat the virus does not know race oreconomic class.“Let us observe the World HealthOrganisation’s guidelines and the protocols of wearing masks, social distancing,avoiding touching the face, washinghands with soap and sanitising regularly,”she says.She also urged colleagues to refrainfrom going out unnecessarily afterhours.“I appreciate how WOF helped mein ensuring my health was taken care of,especially during the testing process.Provincial management really gave thesupport I dearly needed,” says Mokgosi.Rest in power LuciaRantasePoem by Portia NtsalaWe lost a soul,You are to be laid to rest.But you know what they say,“God only takes the best”If someone had to describe you, somany words come to mind.Beauty and grace, a heart so kind.You radiated warmth like a blazingfire,Yo u we re co u ra g e a n d w i s d o mitself,A true inspiration.You shone like a diamond ring,In your imperfections, you sparkled,You lit up a room every time youwalked in.You knew how to be a comforter,Krugersdorp firefighter, Mpho Mokgosi, hasrecovered from the COVID-19 coronavirusParapara Makgahlela, GautengProvincial Communication OfficerWC participants andmanagement progress inABET programmeYou were elegant and charming,You knew right from wrong.The sound of your laugh was likea sweet melody from a beautifulsong.Rest in power, FEARLESS LEADER!Rest in peace, MENTOR!May your spirit live with us and neverleave us.Type 2 Crew Leader Lucia Rantase haspassed awayI lost myself in yourhandsPoem by Onalenna PhelmaJantjies, WOF Nalediparticipant (NW)I lost myself.I lost myself in your hands,I have given in, have fallen in love.Oh what a gentleman you are,You creep oh so softly through myskin.Your skin is made of velvet and silk.Western Cape GM, Melany DuthieSurtie, with False Bay participantsafter they received their certificatesI lost myself in your hands,I saw no lion nor a beast,I felt no violence in your heartbeat.Fifteen participants and managementstaff in the Western Cape, who areimproving their education as part ofthe ABET programme, have receivedtheir certificates in the subjects ofMathematics and English.These participants and managementmembers were forced by circumstancesto disrupt their education to work andprovide for their families. The programmeis giving them a second chance tocomplete their basic education.One of the recipients of the certificates, Faith Bacela from the False BayTeam, says the programme was helpfuland they all passed because they hadPage 04worked together as a group and assistedone another.WOF Western Cape, General Manager, Melany Duthie-Surtie handed overthe certificates to the False Bay Teamparticipants and congratulated themon successfully completing the ABETprogramme.“Well done to all of you! I am veryproud of your will to continue theeducational journey. Continue with thegood work and congratulations,” DuthieSurtie said.Limakatso Khalianyane, Western CapeProvincial Communication OfficerBruises punched through my face,Oh so hard, you hit my face.I lost myself in your hands,Tears were rolling down my cheeks,From the bruises of your hands.I am now like a mourner at a funeral,I tried saving the relationship,I went through all the trouble savingour relationship.Yet, I ended up killing myself.In your hands, I lost myself.Onalenna Phelma JantjiesWorking on Fire: An Expanded Public Works Programme implemented by the Department of Environmental Affairs
Gauteng crew leader makesgood of her second chanceAn ex-offender who is now a crewleader at the Working on Fire Gauteng Abe Bailey Team, Maleeto Mabe,has turned her monthly stipend intoa business opportunity by buildingrooms to rent out.“I observed how other people inBekkersdal township make money andI took the chance,” she says.Mabe says it took a sacrifice tosave money in a building materialsstore account, but her efforts arebeginning to bear fruit as she hascompleted six rooms.“All of the rooms are currentlyoccupied with tenants and the moneyis good because people always needplaces to stay,” Mabe says.She intends to expand by acquiring new plots of land on which todevelop more rental stock.“It is a lifetime investment for meand my family as I am making moneyto make ends meet,” Mabe says.General Manager Stephen Boyessays it was inspiring to have participants who can initiate such innovativeprojects and do things by themselves. The crew members shoulddraw wisdom and inspiration fromAbe Bailey Crew Leader, Maleeto Mabe,is making serious moves, buildingrooms for rentals to source extraincomewhat Mabe has done for herself andfamily.“It means she has a purpose for abetter life,” Boyes says.Parapara Makgahlela, GautengProvincial Communication OfficerFormer BCR becomes theonly woman driver in MPUWorking on Fire Mpumalanga recentlyappointed Nompumelelo Mahlangu asits only woman driver. Mahlangu wasrecruited at the Waterval Boven Basein 2015.“I went to the recruitment processhoping to get selected and get a permanent job because, before that, I usedto do casual work during the weekend,”Mahlangu says.Mahlangu was selected and went towork as a participant at her base until herappointment as a Base CommunicationRepresentative (BCR) in 2016.She credits WOF for contributingto her career path and home life, as themoney she earned helped her further herstudies and get her driver’s licence.“With the money I got, I studied andam now a certified Basic Ambulance Assistant. But the ultimate goal is to furthermy firefighting career by studying further,which I hope will open many doors andopportunities,” she says.Besides being appointed as a driverat her base, her first passing out paradewas one of her most memorable moments in the organisation.“There have been women driversbefore me in the province. However, atthis moment, I am the only one and I hopeNompumelelo Mahlangu was appointed asa driver at her base in Waterval BovenI inspire my fellow women colleagues thatanything is possible,” says Mahlangu.WOF Mpumalanga wishes Mahlanguall the best in her new role.Amanda Mthembu, MpumalangaProvincial Communication OfficerRM thanks WOF forrecognising her potential“Hard work, dedication and patience iskey in making someone a better personin life,” says Balise Rozane, a formerWorking on Fire firefighter who is nowan Eastern Cape Regional Manager,one of more than 300 firefighters whohave moved up the ranks within theorganisation.Rozane joined the WOF programmein 2011 as a firefighter and was giventhe opportunity to further her trainingin a Type 2 Crew Leader course, whichshe happily took. “With dedicationand hard work, I was subsequentlynominated for the Type 1 Crew Leadercourse, which I completed,” Rozanesays.In 2015, she became the RegionalManager for the Joe Gqabi, Moltenoand Elliot teams. Rozane was one ofthe RMs to lead teams at the infamousTsitsikamma, Joe Gqabi and Lotteringfires in the Eastern Cape, which tookdays to contain and caused massivedevastation.Nthabiseng Mokone, Eastern CapeProvincial Communication OfficerEastern Cape Regional Manager Balise Rozane isgrateful to the WOF programme for empowering herLife improved after joining WOFTh e Wo r k i n g o n F i re p ro g ra m m etakes pride in empowering youngwomen and changing their lives forthe better. Phakama Asavela Rasiproudly counts herself as one of thosewomen.“I joined WOF in 2010 at theNtywenka Base at the age of 22,” Rasisays.Life had been hard for her and herthree siblings after their parents diedwhen they were young.Rasi recalls, “We only had the fostercare grant to survive and it was not easy.Until I joined WOF, where my life changedfor the better.”Thanks to the WOF stipend, shecould put food on the table for herfamily.Rasi was chosen for the Type 2Crew Leader course in September 2011and, after she successfully completedit, moved from the Ntywenka Base toLangeni Base, where she serves as acrew leader.A mother, Rasi says it is not easyto balance motherhood and work butbecause of the strength of being awoman, she always manages to overcomeand endure.“It is true when they say WOFrestores dignity and I am living proof ofthis as my family is now living a better lifebecause of me being in the programme,”says Rasi.Nthabiseng Mokone, Eastern CapeProvincial Communication OfficerType 2 Crew Leader Phakama Rasi saysWOF helped her overcome difficult timesAn Expanded Public Works Programme implemented by the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries: Working on FirePage 05
Mpumalanga appoints women as Type 2 Crew LeadersEllane Chiloane - LydenburgVuyisile Zwane - WarburtonOver the past 17 years, Working onFire has recruited the highest numberof female firefighters than any similarfraternity worldwide, with womencomprising 33 percent of its firefightingforce and more than 50 percent ofmanagement staff.WOF Mpumalanga continued tocontribute to the upliftment of womenwith the appointment of five womenparticipants as Type 2 Crew Leaders.Vuyisile Zwane was appointed inWarburton, Ntombikayise Duba in Waterval Boven, Dudu Mabuza in Belfast,Ellane Chiloane in Lydenburg and TebogoSerage in Graskop.The five former participants havebeen armed with skills and knowledgeafter taking the Type 2 Crew Leadercourse at Kishugu Training academy,and will assist their Type 1 Crew Leadercounterparts to lead crews at their respective bases.The women thanked WOF for the opportunity and agreed that their next goalwill be to grow within the organisationFree Staterestoresdignity to 64new recruitsTebogo Serage - GraskopCommunity members from theWinburg vicinity undergo fitnesstests during the recruitment driveWorking on Fire has been steadilyimplementing its mandate ofcreating employment opportunities and restoring the dignity ofthousands of unemployed youthacross the country.A recent recruitment drive in26 cities and towns across the FreeState created employment opportunities for 64 deserving candidateswho displayed the physical andmental readiness to become veldand forest firefighters.The new recruits will be sentfor training at the Kishugu TrainingAcademy in Nelspruit, where theywill be taught highly specialisedskills in basic and advanced firefighting, First Aid and IntegratedFire Management.“I am very pleased with the highnumber of hopefuls who attendedour recruitment drives, which wereconducted under extreme COVID-19regulations. I am impressed withthe calibre of the young men andwomen who proved they deservedbeing selected,” says BonganiMashiane, Free State Ground Operations Manager.Mashiane says he commendsall those involved in the recruitment drives and wishes the newfirefighters all the best in theircareer journey.Wayne Mokhethi, Free StateProvincial Communication Officerand earn the opportunity to be Type 1Crew Leaders and further their careers.The WOF Mpumalanga provincialmanagement wishes them all the bestin their new roles and will provide all thenecessary support.Amanda Mthembu, MpumalangaProvincial Communication OfficerPage 06“The teams are topped up to maintainthe team strength so they can work at fullcapacity in their day-to-day firefightingand prevention work,” Mlanjeni says.The successful recruits passed thefitness test and interview stages and willnow be trained in advanced firefighting,fire safety and other specialised skillsat the Kishugu Training Academy inNelspruit.Nthabiseng Mokone, Eastern CapeProvincial Communication OfficerMpumalanga tops upteams with new recruitsPotential Working on Fire recruits undergothe vigorous fitness test, which includedpull-ups and push-upsWorking on Fire KwaZulu-Natal hasrecruited 25 unemployed youth inthe Qhudeni region to establishthe recently introduced ForestrySupport Team, which works inconjunction with the Departmento f E nv i ro n m e n t , Fo re st r y a n dFisheries (DEFF).Hilda Duma - Waterval BovenEC reduces youth unemploymentWorking on Fire Eastern Cape continuesto show its commitment to restoringdignity, alleviating poverty and savinglives, after recently recruiting morethan 180 young people to be trained asfirefighters.According to the Ground OperationsManager (GOM), Nkululeko Mlanjeni,four new Forestry Support Teams wereopened in the province in July at Manzamnyama, Ntywenka, Baviaans Westand Nomadamba and some of the newrecruits would serve there.“The fifth base was opened on 20July in Dontsa, and 38 young recruitswere selected for that team,” Mlanjenisays. Mlanj
Beads Magazine and Group CEO of BLA Group. Topics discussed: ways that actions could be taken against GBV and possible ways of getting women into busi-ness. WOF Gauteng held its 18 August, which hosted guest speaker Busisiwe Mzandolo, a social worker and motivational speaker from the Women of Power organisation.
