WOFIRESaving Lives Protecting the Environment NEWS Restoring Dignity

VOLUME 8 edition 6 SEPTEMBER 2019 Working on Fire Working on Fire - WOF TV News Channel @wo_fire Minister join Working Working on Fire’s work on Fire in recognised at UN Summit clean-up Prolonged drought caused by continued global warming is increasing in Southern Africa, potentially impacting water security and causing heatwaves. These are some of the findings in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s statement on South Africa’s position on Climate Change which was handed to the United Nations Secretary General at the Climate Change Conference, Global Climate Action in New York on 23 September 2019. He said extensive research was being done in South Africa to quantify the likelihood of major climate change impacts occurring in the next few decades. “Using our own domestic resources, we have already implemented measures to help us cope with extreme During the Port St Johns clean-up, Minister Creecy, MEC Mlungisi Mvoko, weather. These include the Working for Water programme, the firefighters and other stakeholders aimed Working on Fire programme and the restoration of wetlands,” to inspire locals to take ownership of their he said. community and help keep it clean. WOF teams in the Eastern Cape, Western Cape and KwaZulu- Natal have been working in the drought relief projects which focus The Minister of Environment, Forestry and on clearing alien invasive plants which affect our water supply. Fisheries, Barbara Creecy, joined more These provinces were the hardest hit by the current drought. than 30 firefighters from the Mkhambathi and Nqadu Working on Fire teams for the Good Green Deeds clean-up campaign in Port St Johns, Eastern Cape. MEC Mlungisi Mvoko and Working for Water, WOF VAI plays its part in building Community Work Programme and SANParks staff also participated in the clean-up, which started at the Port St new facilities for EC learners Johns taxi rank and concluded at the Port St Johns beach. Minister Creecy On 17 September 2019, the Minister was happy to see the beneficiaries of of Environment, Forestry and the Expanded Public Works Programmes Fisheries, Barbara Creecy, officially coming together for such a good cause opened new ablution facilities at and thanked them for their service and Mqikela Secondary School in ensuring that public spaces were clean. Lusikisiki. “We have done clean-up campaigns before, but we are particularly happy to have been part of this clean-up cam- paign as we got to meet our Minister and also work with participants from other programmes,” said a firefighter Barbara Creecy Maggie Sotyu from Mkhambathi. The Good Green Deeds initiative formed part of the Presidential visit to OR Tambo District.

WOF firefighter assists as the Minister and officials from the provincial Department of Education officially open the ablution facilities Grabeth Nduna, Construction Manager for VAI, presents the new facilities to the Minister at school and too many of these facilities The principal of Mqikela Second- are below standard. ary School thanked the Department According to Minister Creecy, the Working on Fire became involved and expressed her appreciation project was initiated after education through its Value-Added Industries of the other parties involved in authorities identified a dire need for (VAI) and was tasked with rolling out donating and building the toilets. the upgrading of ablution facilities the Department of Education’s project The learners were on hand to add The Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Barbara Creecy, along with a at schools. Learners need hygienic to construct new ablution facilities at their thanks to those involved with number of stakeholders involved in the facilities to stay healthy and perform identified schools. a huge round of applause. Good Green Deeds clean-up campaign

An Expanded Public Works Programme Implemented by the Department of Environmental Affairs: Working on Fire Page 01 KwaZulu-Natal Working on Fire, the Department of Environmental Affairs, International Coastal Clean-Up Day Forestry and Fisheries, eThekwini Mu- nicipality, the Department of Economic more environmentally conscious and to Development, Tourism & Environmental promote behavioural change towards Affairs, Transnet, the Office of the ending littering and illegal dumping. KwaZulu-Natal Premier, the Depart- KZN Fire Awareness Training Officer, ment of Cooperative Governance and Bongumusa Nyathi says, “We had a week- Traditional Affairs and the Source to long build-up campaign which included Sea project joined coastal countries joining various clean-up campaigns at across the world to commemorate Kwandengezi and at Umgeni River in the International Coastal Clean-up Day Albert Falls area.” Nyathi says, “Since (ICCD) by partnering with communi- launching the WOF Girl and Boy Scouts, ties in and around Durban to clean it was imperative that they join us in the the beaches and areas leading to the International Coastal Clean-Up which ocean. took place at Isipingo Beach. It was a ICCD brings together communities great opportunity to encourage them with the common goals of collecting to see the importance of the work their and documenting marine litter along parents do and why it is so vital to take WOF firefighters and scouts coastlines. The activities in Durban care of the environment they live in as it cleaning at Isipingo Beach formed part of the government’s Good is the only one we have.” Green Deeds Programme launched The Source to Sea initiative is a by President Cyril Ramaphosa earlier new strategy being implemented in including plastic pollution, which Nompilo Zondi, KwaZulu-Natal this year. Good Green Deeds seeks to KwaZulu-Natal to investigate, com- threatens both freshwater and marine Provincial Communication Officer mobilise South Africans to become bat and ultimately eradicate pollution, ecosystems.

WOF Care Package fundraiser Working on Fire in KwaZulu-Natal hosted a WOF Care Package Fundraiser on 20 September at the Albert Falls Dam Nature Reserve. “This event was not only a fundraising method for the WOF Care Packages but was a great net- working opportunity for internal and external officials and to also officially launch the WOF Boy and Girl Scouts WOF Scouts singing together with the KZN firefighters and management which were implemented earlier this year,” says KZN Social Development Practitioner, Hloniphile Ndlovu. Ndlovu says, “We also incorpo- Ndlovu says, “Overall, the day was a It was a fun-packed day for rated the growing gender-based violence success. Deputy Mayor Buthelezi spoke stakeholders to witness the talent that that the country has witnessed over the highly of the work the uMngeni and WOF had on display. The programme past few months. The scouts handed Karkloof Teams were doing in her mu- took the opportunity to briefly show- out roses to females in the audience to nicipality. “We were extremely happy with case some of WOF’s achievements remind them of their value in the the outcome of the day. Stakeholders in this financial year and introduce community, and to raise awareness to also willingly pledged towards the care various activities or initiatives to those always protect women and children from package. We will continue to fundraise present. abuse.” for our participants’ children, as it is not The day commenced with In the spirit of Heritage Month, only the parents’ responsibility to groom the uMngeni Team and the scouts the Shongweni Team beautifully dem- a child but it is also our responsibility as welcoming the uMngeni Deputy onstrated Zulu culture in music and a community.” Mayor, Councillor Buthelezi, with a dance. The WOF Scouts programme The Mayor of uMngeni and senior guard of honour as she entered the was officially launched with the wonder- Nompilo Zondi, KwaZulu-Natal management walk past the guard of Provincial Communication Officer honour venue. ful heritage-themed dancing.

Ithafa Secondary Schools. The schools’ nabbed second place and Ithafa Mpumalanga hosts its best Grade 8 and 9 debaters were pitted Secondary rounded off the top against each other on three topics – “How three. wildfires fuel climate change”, “How Working on Fire annually hosts annual school debate communities are at risk of wildfire and the school debating competition with should take action to alleviate that risk the aim of educating the youth about Working on Fire in Mpumalanga held its in their homes” and “How the cost of environmental issues and encouraging annual school debating competition at wildfire to the economy and environment them to become involved in protecting the Netherland Park Secondary School can be mitigated through integrated fire the environment. in Ermelo in the Gert Sibande District management services”. WOF teams across the province on Friday, 30 August. Reggie Masuku Secondary’s continually visit schools and the The Fire Awareness team worked performance stood head and communities to educate residents with the Department of Education school shoulders above the rest, and they about fire risks and prevention. Reggie Masuku Secondary School district to host five local schools, namely walked away with the number one Amanda Mthembu, Mpumalanga learners and teachers celebrate after Camden Combined School and Nether- spot and earned themselves a trophy Provincial Communication Officer winning the school debate in Ermelo land Park, Reggie Masuku, Cebisa and and certificates. Camden Combined

Page 02 Working on Fire: An Expanded Public Works Programme implemented by the Department of Environmental Affairs School debating competition highlights environmental issues

Working on Fire Free State’s Fire Aware- raise solutions and initiatives that might ness Department recently held a school solve these environmental problems. debating competition in Bethlehem. Prizes were awarded to learners who The event was hosted at Khanyeng excelled in specific categories such as Intermediate School, in conjunction with best speech and overall best. the provincial Department of Education “Overall, the event was a huge and the Provincial Disaster Management success with learners passionately Centre. engaging each other about environment Numerous schools participated in issues, says Gladson Motloung, the Free the competition and debated topics State Fire Awareness Training Officer. such as ‘Wild fires fuel climate change’, “The audience walked away informed ‘Should society conserve the natural about their responsibility to conserve environment?’ and ‘Land Management the environment. We are very pleased tools to conserve the environment’. with the level of participation and we The primary objective of the com- wish to congratulate all the learners who petition was to create an opportunity for participated.” learners to debate environmental issues Wayne Mokhethi, Provincial that have a negative impact on their social The fun and informative debate was held at Khanyeng Intermediate School Communication Officer, Free State livelihood and natural environment and Grade 8 and 9 learners Eastern Cape debating debate environmental issues competition held

Eastern Cape Working on Fire hosted its third provincial school debate competition in Stutter- heim on Friday, 13 September, for learners from different schools in the area. Learners from six schools debated topics such as how frequent fires Grade 8 and 9 champions of the 2019 Fire Awareness debate can cause land degradation, how competition celebrate with the judges and the coordinators IFMS can be used to mitigate the cost of wildfires to the economy For the past few years, Working on started well with learners tabling and the environment, fire prevention Working on Fire shares fire messages through school debates Fire has been working with schools their knowledge on environmental measures as well as how climate in fire-prone areas to mitigate fire issues, including the impacts of wild- change can lead to fires. hazards through empowering and fire in the society and on our environ- According to the Eastern Cape IFMS includes fire detection, educating learners with key fire ment. Fire Awareness Training Officer prevention and suppression, and awareness messages. Learners from Mbilwi Secondary Zola Hans, learners were assessed fire awareness in schools and in Working on Fire Limpopo’s School went head to heads with on good communications skills, communities. The WOF programme fire awareness cluster hosted a learners from Mphaphulu Secondary presentation skills and on content. has been working with schools school debate for Grade 8 learners School in heated debate, with learners Hans says the main objective of in fire-prone areas to mitigate fire from Vhembe District Municipal- from both groups demonstrated a high the debate is to create an opportunity hazards by empowering learners ity. The annual debate is seen as a level of confidence in their knowledge for Grade 8 and 9 learners to debate with fire awareness messages. means of checking the learners’ of environmental issues. At the end issues that have a negative impact on The debate allows WOF to understanding and retention of fire of the day, Mbilwi was declared the their environment. see if the learners have benefitted prevention awareness education winning team. “It also covered the key fire from the fire awareness activities received from WOF in the past and to It is hoped that the competition messages and core focus areas of the WOF teams have conducted in reinforce information on fire preven- will be expanded next year with WOF Department of Fire Awareness,” schools and retained the knowl- tion that the learners could in turn schools of various regions debating says Hans. edge they received in these pro- pass on to their communities. at the provincial level. The programme is part of WOF’s grammes. Twenty-five learners from strategy to fight veld and forest fires Nthabiseng Mokone, Eastern Cape five local schools around Vhembe Matema Gwangwa, Limpopo through Integrated Fire Management Provincial Communication Officer Provincial Communication Officer participated in the debate which Services (IFMS).

present their case for why they believed Learners’ showcase society should look after its natural environment. The competition puts to the test the learners’ understanding of their understanding of the roles the natural environment plays in our daily lives, the economy and the environmental issues sustainability of all life. Four trophies were awarded to Learners from three local Vaalharts to educate youth about environmental the best-performing schools. Landbou high schools put on their environmental issues and to encourage them to become Hoërskool were declared the overall thinking caps as they battled each other environmentalists. winners of the debate and they also won during the school debate hosted by During the debate, the learners from the best team on content trophy. Two Working on Fire North West Community Landbou Hoërskool and Tlhwahalang trophies were awarded to Tlhwahalang Landbou Hoërskool and Tlhwahalang Fire Awareness Officer (CFAO), Sophy Secondary school had to make compel- Secondary school for having the best Secondary School took the trophies for Dinko, earlier this month. ling arguments for why society should presenters. overall winners, best team on content Working on Fire annually hosts look after our natural environment. The and best presenters. Photo by Sophy Dinko provincial school debate competitions school teams each had three minutes to Written by Editorial team

An Expanded Public Works Programme implemented by the Department of Environmental Affairs: Working on Fire Page 03 Focus on quality air for Mogalakwena community The Department of Environment, For- During the event, communities were estry and Fisheries, in collaboration with informed about the interventions that the Working on Fire and other stakeholders government and affected stakeholders in the Waterberg-Bojanala Priority have been implementing to address Area (WBPA), hosted an Air Quality air pollution challenges in the priority and Arbor Week event at Bakenberg areas. Stadium in the Mogalakwena Municipal- The day’s activities ended with ity. various stakeholders planting trees at The objective of this event was to Bakenberg Stadium. Communities were raise community awareness regarding encouraged to plant trees every year as Trees were planted by various stakeholders during the Arbor Day celebration hosted by the air pollution and the related impacts that would contribute to reducing air pol- Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries in Mogalakwena Local Municipality on health and the environment. The lution. The event was declared a success awareness campaign was themed ‘Air by all the participating parties. Pollution’ to align with the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) 2019 Matema Gwangwa, Limpopo Provincial Communication Officer North West WOF marks Arbor Day theme. First food security workshop at Shongweni

North West Working on Fire General Manager, Noluvuyo Mashologue, and other dignitaries planted two trees at PA Theron Primary School. Photo by Sophy Dinko. Teams working in the garden Working on Fire North West, together roles trees play in maintaining our natural with the Mayor of Dr Kenneth Kaunda environment. Learners were urged to During the National Arbor Week, the District Municipality, Councillor Barei sustain the existing trees and to plant what they learnt during the five-day Working on Fire Shongweni Team in Elizabeth Mosiane-Segotso, the Mayor more trees in the future. workshop,” says Buthelezi. KwaZulu-Natal participated in a Food of the City of Matlosana, Councillor Following the address, the WOF team Shongweni firefighter Xolani Hlela Security Workshop at their base. The Maetu Kgaile, and officials of theD epart- assisted the school with its food garden says, “We learnt how to do compost main aim of the workshop was to ment of Environmental Affairs, City of and gave learners a few tips on how to and earthworm farming using materi- train participants on how to establish Matlosana Municipality, Dr Kenneth maintain their garden. als found around the base, something an organic garden at the base. Kaunda District Municipality and the Prior to this programme, the Working that anyone can do at home.” KZN Social Development Prac- provincial Department of Rural, Environ- on Fire Boskop Team had partnered He says that he can’t wait to share titioner Sabelo Buthelezi says, “The ment and Agriculture Development with the North West Parks Board in with his fellow colleagues how to grow WOF programme developed this (READ), commemorated Arbor Day by the build-up to Arbor Day, organising nutritious food. workshop to ensure participants have planting two trees at the PA Theron a debate among learners at Buffelsvlei KZN Acting General Manager the knowledge and skills required to Primary School in Stilfontein. Intermediate School about Arbor Day and Bongani Nhlabathi says, “This project start a sustainable food production Before the trees were planted, learn- the significance of the day. is an opportunity for us to make a business on their re-entry into the ers were addressed about the importance difference in our society and eventu- community.” This initiative will ensure of planting trees and educated on the Written by Editorial team ally in our country. As this is a pilot that participants have a measure of project, we will rely on participants’ food security in providing for their im- dedication to seize the possibilities to mediate families and the surrounding expand it to other bases, communities Participants’ learn agri communities. and provinces.” “The Shongweni firefighters will split up and travel to the rest of the Nompilo Zondi, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Communication Officer best practices bases in the province and teach them

Gauteng Rust de Winter Team’s Germi- nah Mashaba and Thabo Kutu learned “One of the key things that I learned farmers. I have to turn the corner now,” all about the best agricultural methods was about artificial insemination and I says Kutu. to improve the condition of their goats made solid contacts with the seasoned Kutu says that with such knowledge after attending the Agri Expo and and best breeders in the country,” says he could start investing more in new Indaba at the Agricultural Research Mashaba. methods of farming and work towards Council’s Animal Production Centre in Mashaba says the expo did not becoming a commercial farmer in five Irene recently. resemble the normal farmers’ days she years’ time. “We have learned how and where frequently attends in her area. Com- “We never thought there are people to sell our livestock. The session was mercial farmers and breeders shared who are truly commercial farmers with insightful and provided guidance for small sage advice on some of the best practices goat livestock. I applaud the GM for and emerging farmers like ourselves,” they could apply to improve and expand affording us an opportunity to attend and says Mashaba. their livestock. learn,” he says. Germinah Mashaba at Agri Expo, taking She says agricultural is the bedrock “It has been good because I was bull by its horns at ARC’s Animal of the rural economy and she benefitted inspired to see how commercial farmers Parapara Makgahlela, Gauteng Provincial Communication Officer Production Centre immensely from this session. are willing to assist young emerging

Page 04 Working on Fire: An Expanded Public Works Programme implemented by the Department of Environmental Affairs WOF men raise awareness Western Cape WOF says no of gender-based violence to gender-based violence

In an effort to highlight the crisis of violence against women and children, Working on Fire Western Cape’s Social Development Practitioners (SDPs) have been hosting workshops against gender-based violence (GBV) across the province. Male representatives from each WOF base participated in a series of dialogues on GBV and the role men can play to change the status quo. The George and Witfontein High Altitude Teams, together with WOF Southern Cape SDP Lusheen Britz and management, delivered an emotional Social Development Practitioner pledge to protect women. Colleen Paulus facilitated a dialogue on gender-based violence with The Kleinmond Team men held a firefighters from the Kleinmond Team Thabang Molaba is taking a stand prayer session, praying for the safety against gender-based violence of women and children in the country. says the engagement with men so far They also vowed to raise awareness has shown the men feel ashamed of of what men could do to ensure the what other men have done to women “Being a woman is no longer safe in believe that a real man doesn’t cry or safety of women and children in their and are genuinely trying to find ways the environment that we live in. Being become emotional. This is one of the communities, homes and schools. to protect women and children. a woman means you are the easiest results that leads men to take out their SDP Colleen Paulus, who facili- target for our male counterparts. We anger on women,” says Metse Maitisa, the tated the Kleinmond Team dialogue, Written by Editorial team used to be flowers, but now we’ve Limpopo Provincial Coordinator. turned into punching bags. We used to WOF Limpopo hosted a gender- be loved, but now we are being killed,” based awareness campaign for provincial says Mahlatse Ratlabala. staff to raise awareness about the abuse The WOF Limpopo men took the and killing of women and children. Safety Managing Director’s call for intervention issues were discussed and it was agreed Firefighters graduate as on gender-based violence to the next that the awareness campaign would be level. They vowed to assist and support rolled out at base level, targeting the male each other through discussions and en- employees. Type 1 crew leaders gagement when they have challenges. “Men are famous in bottling things Matema Gwangwa, Limpopo Provincial Communication Officer inside, all because we were raised to

WOF participants take on matric challenge

The Type 1 Crew Leader graduates participate in a passing-out parade at the Kishugu Training Academy WOF participants were given a second chance to obtain their matric A total of 36 former Type 2 Crew “Great leaders don’t tell you what Many participants never had the op- the Human Resource Practitioner of WOF Leaders from the Eastern Cape, to do, they show you how it is done,” portunity to complete their matric Limpopo. KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpu- Van Heerden said. which impacted negatively on their Education is an achievement that no malanga and the Western Cape The proud chief instructor at lives and limited their opportunities to one can take away and assists in unlock- graduated as Type 1 Crew Leaders Kishugu Training Academy, Kabelo be employed. ing the doors to a successful future. WOF at the Kishugu Training Academy on Moleleki, congratulated the graduates As Working on Fire is committed to will continue with the project of assisting Friday, 16 August. as he handed over certificates and empowering its participants with skills participants to gain their matric qualifica- The firefighters marked the awards to the crew leaders. Kishugu and knowledge, it recently enrolled 20 tion until the end of the year 2020. completion of their Type 1 crew leader Training Accounts Manager, Christo- participants in the ABET programme to “By doing so we are developing a training with a passing-out parade pher Kasayi, concluded the parade assist them to complete their matric. structured exit strategy for our partici- at the Academy to celebrate their with a vote of thanks and wished the “For us to enrol these participants in pants into other employment opportuni- achievement. graduates well as they embark on their the ABET programme is to make sure that ties,” says Mhlethywa. Families and friends graced the new leadership journey. we live our values with integrity and that occasion and Nerien van Heerden (Na- we empower them with knowledge and Matema Gwangwa, Limpopo tional Admin and Logistics Manager) Amanda Mthembu, Mpumalanga Provincial Communication Officer Provincial Communication Officer education,” says Khuthazo Mhlethywa, gave the keynote address.

An Expanded Public Works Programme implemented by the Department of Environmental Affairs: Working on Fire Page 05 Working on Fire participant steps up

Mzukisi Lufele, a former firefighter hard and always made sure that I him where he is today. “I acquired skills from Molteno Base in the Eastern learned fast. The province recognised such as communications skills, leadership Cape, recently began working as a my hard work and sent me to the crew skills, first aid and many more,” says Human Resource Assistant after being leader course a year later,” says Lufele, Lufele. promoted to the position. who passed the course and became He is grateful to the Working on Fire Lufele joined the WOF family in one of the best crew leaders in the programme for empowering him and he 2016. “Prior to joining WOF, I worked province. believes the experience has made him at Woolworths after matriculating as I “I led by example and my team was a better person. Lufele advises other could not go to university due to financial always the best as we worked as a team firefighters to emulate his example by problems,” says Lufele. and always had a goal and that assisted working hard, being patient and always He says getting a job at WOF was us in getting many awards for being the aiming high. a blessing as he was not qualified for best team,” Lufele says. Newly appointed HR other opportunities. “After being Twenty-eight-year-old Lufele says Nthabiseng Mokone, Eastern Cape Provincial Communication Officer Assistant, Mzukisi Lufele recruited as a firefighter, I worked very that WOF gave him many skills that got

Firefighter concerned for WOF Free State Athletics public safety Club impress at Mandela Thato Moleka of the Cradle of Human- Day Marathon kind Team intends studying public safety management at Tshwane University of Technology next year. He says he has a passion for the safety of the public and intends doing a structural firefighting course first. The safety of the public is his number one concern and he is willing to be part of the solution as a young person. Moleka says that structural firefight- ing training won’t take more than three months to complete. “By New Year, I will be ready to head to varsity. I have money to study and I have accumulated months of working experience in the programme,” he says. Moleka says that being a veld and forest firefighter has made him see more opportunities he can exploit in the future. Thato Moleka will pursue a course in public safety management at Rosebank “It is not easy to be a firefighter but College in the new year the stipend I earn keeps me motivated and encouraged to get up every morning to work,” he says, adding that every Parapara Makgahlela, Gauteng Members of the WOF Athletics Club in the Free State Provincial Communication Officer hard-earned cent counts.

Members of the Working on Fire capture site in Howick marked the end Athletics team in the Free State of the race. Walter Khoza promoted to GOM recently took part in the annual Nel- Mofokeng, one of the top- son Mandela Marathon which took recognised runners and pacesetters Working on Fire continues to grow Former firefighter and Regional place this year in Pietermaritzburg in in the province, ran an impressive its own timber, as the saying goes, Manager, Walter Khoza, is another such KwaZulu-Natal. The event consists of sub-three-hour time of 02:59:29 in by developing the leadership skills success story, having recently been pro- the 10 km race, 21 km half marathon the marathon. of its personnel. Forty percent of the moted to Grounds Operations Manager and 42.2 km marathon. “The team ran very well and management staff are former fire- (GOM) in Mpumalanga. Agnes Lekhetho, Nthatheng represented WOF very well. Each fighters. Khoza joins Thabiso Mohale in the Tsotetsi, Puleng Buang, Phumzile person gave their best in this very position, with Mpumalanga now armed Zwane, Samuel Mofokeng, Thabang competitive race and it will serve as with two GOMs to ensure the best Mphuthi and Azola Bangani partici- a benchmark for the races that will production in integrated fire manage- pated in the event. The races started follow,” says Bangani, the Athletics ment. at the Manaye Hall in iMbali, where Club team leader. His journey up the corporate Nelson Mandela made his last speech Wayne Mokhethi, Free State ladder at WOF began in Graskop, where as a free man in 1962 before he was Provincial Communication Officer he was recruited as a firefighter in 2003. arrested by the apartheid police. The Working his way through the ranks, he served Graskop Base as a Type 2 Crew Leader and Type 1 Crew Leader before Division. In 2011, he was appointed as a challenge and make a difference in the becoming a driver at Lydenburg. From Regional Manager in Mpumalanga. province and in WOF as a whole,” he there, he was seconded to the LEFPA Originally from Bushbuckridge, says. Base in Nelspruit, where he was a shadow Khoza is a married father of two daugh- The WOF Mpumalanga staff wish him Base Manager and Fire Awareness ters who enjoys spending time with all the best in his new role. Khoza began Coordinator. family, fishing and watching soccer. his duties on 1 August. He became an assistant regional “I am very excited and know that Crew Leaders from 27 teams across manager in 2010 and also did a stint this position comes with a lot of the province attended the workshop Walter Khoza is the new Ground at Kishugu Academy in that year, as a responsibility and accountability. Amanda Mthembu, Mpumalanga Operations Manager in Mpumalanga Provincial Communication Officer Project Coordinator in the Structural However, I am ready to face this new

Page 06 Working on Fire: An Expanded Public Works Programme implemented by the Department of Environmental Affairs Participant lands a job in tourism

“Know your goals in life and work “I decided to use the stipend to hard to achieve them,” says Nolindelo further my studies at a college and Manyaba, a former firefighter at the Port studied through distance learning,” she St Johns Team in the Eastern Cape. This says. She also learned many skills in the zealous woman was recently appointed programme in leadership, first aid and as a tourism monitor at Addo Elephant firefighting that could prove useful in National Park. her new position. “I would like to thank Thirty-one-year-old Manyaba the programme for being my stepping says that the Working on Fire pro- stone, for opening opportunities for me gramme paved the way to getting a and also for supporting me during my better job. studies,” says Manyaba. “To all firefighters After joining the programme as a in the programme, know what you want, firefighter in 2012 in the Mkhambathi work hard, be passionate and improve Team, Manyaba later transferred to the your studies.” Nolindelo Manyaba recently got a job at Addo Elephant National Park Port St Johns Team as she wanted to further her studies and needed access Nthabiseng Mokone, Eastern Cape Provincial Communication Officer to better facilities. High Altitude Team provides WOF opened up new set job opportunities for youth of skills for ex-participant

Unemployed youth undergoing the fitness test at the recruitment

The Department of Environment, to be considered for selection. “Two Forestry and Fisheries’ Working females and four males were recruited Sifiso Nzimande in the Ezemvelo on Fire High Altitude programme and will soon be sent to attend the KZN Wildlife dispatch centre continues to combat unemploy- training,” says Mcacelwa. ment by providing youth with an The High Altitude programme Former Working on Fire firefighter, dispatch and coordination. In September opportunity to become rope access is aimed at reducing invasive Sifiso Nzimande, who now works for 2013, Nzimande was promoted to Type technicians. species to sustain the water supply. Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, says he is very 3 Dispatcher and served in that capacity Recently, the High Altitude pro- It has more than 80 participants appreciative of the opportunity he until he relocated earlier this year to gramme recruited six rope access based at seven bases throughout received at WOF. Hluhluwe to work as a dispatcher in technicians for Lusikisiki Base. Accord- the Eastern Cape, who work Recruited in March 2009 after being the Peace Park of Ezemvelo KZN Wild- ing to the BCR of the team, Phumzile very hard to remove alien vegeta- unemployed for some time, Nzimande life. Mcacelwa, all the young people who tion and trees in water catchment says, “I learnt a lot from working in the “I am really enjoying my new job. I attended the recruitment exercise areas that consume a lot of water. programme such as discipline, how to love to work with aviation and ground had to undergo pass the standard Nthabiseng Mokone, Eastern Cape WOF fitness test of a timed 2.4 km work as a team and individually. I also crews. The job is challenging because I Provincial Communication Officer learn how to handle or deal with different am working with different kinds of people run, push-ups, sit-ups and pull-ups kinds of people and their personalities, and facing different situations from those to be a problem solver and how to avoid I did at WOF.” conflict.” Nzimande says he sees himself as a “My former colleagues must skills, it will be easy to find better Nzimande says WOF improved his life Nerve Centre Manager in five years. He is continue to work hard and be patient. jobs in other organisations,” says financially and also gave him skills train- grateful for the chances he was given by Their time will come too. They must Nzimande. ing in First Aid level 1 and 2, fundamentals the WOF programme. He never imaged apply for opportunities in the of carpentry, helitack training, advanced himself a dispatcher but WOF made this Working on Fire programme and must Nompilo Zondi, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Communication Officer veld and forest firefighting and basic skill available to him and he enjoys it. always give 100% effort. With these

Celebrating heritage in style

Motseki Monyamathi of the Heidelberg Team is a Monyamathi is registering his own company because self-made entrepreneur who has been using his artistic he does many things beyond painting takkies. One of skill to generate money in Heritage Month by painting his ventures is making chairs from used tyres which he trainers (takkies) in traditional Zulu colours. hires out to events. He collects old tyres from local tyre “I bought paints to spray on the takkies. People love stores for free. it since we are in Heritage Month. They are responding “My business idea is environmentally friendly in very well by bringing their takkies to be painted in the sense that I am re-purposing tyres instead of the cultural colours,” says Monyamathi. community burning them and polluting the air we Monyamathi says he does his painting work after breathe,” he says. hours and his cousin does the marketing during the day. He wants to see people proudly celebrating Heritage Parapara Makgahlela, Gauteng Month in style. “Our cultures are an important part of Provincial Communication Officer Motseki displays one of his painted tekkies our identity,” he says.

An Expanded Public Works Programme implemented by the Department of Environmental Affairs: Working on Fire Page 07 wof celebrates Heritage Day

WOF proudly embraces its rich diversity on Heritage Day Working on Fire’s Day on 24 September, WOF staff members dressed up in cultural wear, offices and bases are spread across South Africa and our staff include people feasted on traditional dishes, danced, sang and played traditional games. from a variety of cultures, creeds and languages – a rich and beautiful rep- These activities encourage and honour our diversity of beliefs and traditions resentation of our Rainbow Nation. During the week leading up to Heritage and give us the opportunity to learn and grow with one another.

The MPU Wakkerstroom Team joined Uthaka Secondary School to celebrate Heritage Month on North West provincial staff wore their traditional wear Tsonga and Venda ladies from Soekmekaar enjoy Tuesday, 17 September. They wore traditional outfits and enjoyed African foods to celebrate their heritage. umqombothi as part of their Heritage Day celebrations. and enjoyed Zulu food and cultural dancing.

Eastern Cape provincial staff celebrated The Theunissen Team in Free State dressed in Heritage Day by dressing up in a variety The KZN Eshowe Team looked colourful and proud in their traditional clothing and celebrated South Africa’s rich of cultural outfits and cooking a respective traditional wear while celebrating Heritage Day. heritage by enjoying a variety of traditional foods such traditional feast. They also shared a traditional meal. as motoho, ledombolo and mala mokgodu.

The Abe Bailey Team in Gauteng celebrated their cultural diversity by cooking The Heilbron Team in Free State also dressed up in traditional traditional food (ting, mala mogodu, stampa, morogo and umqombothi), displaying wear and celebrated the cultural diversity in the team. their traditional wear and playing traditional games.

Men from the Sarah Baartman Team proudly wore traditional clothing. The team The Naledi participants took off time to celebrate Heritage Day at The MPU Sasol Team donned their cultural wear enjoyed its Heritage Day Celebrations which Swartfontein Resort in Vryburg (North West) where they shared with for Heritage Day and enacted a Heritage Month included singing and dancing. each other what they enjoy most about their heritage. sketch to show the diversity at their base.

Page 08 Working on Fire: An Expanded Public Works Programme implemented by the Department of Environmental Affairs