COVID-19 a Year Later

WOFIRESaving Lives Protecting the Environment NEWS Restoring Dignity

VOLUME 9 edition 12 march 2021 Working on Fire Working on Fire - WOF TV News Channel @wo_fire Deputy Minister highlights role WOF plays nationally and globally The Department of Environment, The Working on Fire Bloemfon- Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF) tein Team conducted a clean-up of hosted a back-to-school pro- the school premises in preparation gramme at Kagisano Combined for the visit from the Deputy Min- School in Soutpan, Free State. ister. The team conducted WOF’s DEFF Deputy Minister, Ms Mag- much-sought-after Integrated Fire gie Sotyu, attended the event Management exercises. and donated school supplies, Ms Sotyu commended the work including desktop computers, done at the school by the WOF sanitary towels, waste bins, school Bloemfontein Team to those in shoes and bags containing sta- attendance and explained the im- tionery, face masks and hand portant role the WOF Programme sanitisers. plays at a global and national level. Ms Sotyu also donated gar- The Deputy Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Ms Maggie Sotyu, Wayne Mokhethi, Free State dening equipment and seedlings hands out various items during the back-to-school programme during a tree-planting ceremony. Provincial Communication Officer COVID-19 A Year Later

WOF MD Trevor Abrahams

The coronavirus has had a devastating impact on our lives, the economy of the country and indeed on the world. The Working on Fire Programme has not been spared by the pandemic. However, we were very fortunate that on 19 March 2020, eight days before the National Lockdown, we convened our first National COVID-19 Incident Command Committee to map out our response to this threat. had to go in quarantine and isolation, for avoiding infection, namely: wearing these statistics are a testament to all In these meetings, held regularly and we have constantly updated our a mask in public, keeping a social the protocols we adopted so early throughout the pandemic, WOF Man- messaging in terms of what we need to distance and sanitising ourselves and in the pandemic, as well as to the agement mapped out a strategy and a do to prevent and mitigate the impact our environment. behaviour, support and high level course of action on how we can miti- of this disaster. of cooperation we have seen from gate the impact of this pandemic. We are not immune from the everybody within WOF. WOF fully operational during pandemic As we face the prospect of the Support to those in the pandemic A total of 1 025 WOF employees were third wave, I appeal to all our WOF isolation and quarantine WOF was designated as an emergency tested for the virus over the past employees to adhere to the COVID-19 We have been very fortunate that service and, as such, continued to func- year, with 72 % (743) of them testing protocols and stand together to try our collective effort has kept our tion throughout the pandemic. We negative. A total of 250 employees and prevent this virus from coming company safe throughout this pe- continue to stress the need to remain tested positive and sadly, we lost one into our company, into their families riod. We have supported those who vigilant and retain the key messages employee during this period. I believe and among their colleagues.

An Expanded Public Works Programme implemented by the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries: Working on Fire Page 01 WOF Western Cape assisted at 26 fires during February Working on Fire Western Cape deployed from the Overberg fire services, was its aerial and ground resources to play unfortunately recorded, along with two a key role in assisting fire suppression injuries. operations at 26 fires in the province. WOF’s aerial resources flew for The Overberg District was hit the 196 hours and the Hottentots Holland, hardest, with large fires raging for Kleinmond and Walker Bay teams were multiple days and even spreading to the busiest, even spending some nights other regions. on the fire line. Of the 26 fires, 12 were suppressed A total of 16 835 hectares of vegeta- in the Overberg, included at Grabouw, tion was burned. Boesmanskloof and Brandrivier, with The WOF Kleinmond Team was one of the busiest teams in February the latter ravaging the mountains around Limakatso Khalianyane, Western Cape Provincial Communication Officer Barrydale. One fatality, a firefighter

Fires keep Eastern Cape Gauteng teams reduce firefighters busy the risk of fires Working on Fire Gauteng teams The Western region of Working on Fire are busy doing fuel load reduction Eastern Cape is currently in the last leg and alien plants removal across the of the summer fire season and teams province. were kept busy with fires that raged In the Dinokeng Nature Reserve, for days. the team is clearing the grass to pre- More than 60 firefighters from vent fires occurring along the electric six teams, together with WOF aerial fence during the fire season. resources, assisted the MTO, Eastern “The rangers use the roads along Cape Umbrella, Sarah Baartman West and the fence. Therefore, it is vital we clear Southern Cape Fire Protection Associa- out any obstacle, including fuel,” says tions to suppress two fires inH uisklip and Assistant Project Manager Thabo Mdala firefighters do manual fuel load Stinkhoutberg. Moreba. reduction WOF Eastern Cape General Manager, In the Roodeplaat Nature Reserve, Working on Fire Eastern Cape teams Phumza Dyantyi, applauded the young conduct Integrated Fire Management the team is busy removing alien nature reserve to reduce the spread men and women who worked day services invasive plants like Pompom because of veld fires. and night to fight these fires for seven they threaten vegetation, grazing land “We protect the fauna and flora days, with the Stinkhoutberg fire only preventative measures such as firebreaks and the wetlands. in the reserve and it feels good to contained on the seventh day. and stack burns in preparation for the Crew Leader Ntebo Kwenaite says conserve the environment,” says Crew While the Western teams are ex- winter fire season. that the alien plants they are removing Leader Jonas Matlala. periencing a busy summer fire season, grew a lot during the off-season. the rest of the Eastern Cape teams have Nthabiseng Mokone, Eastern Cape The WOF Abe Bailey Team did Parapara Makgahlela, Gauteng Provincial Communication Officer Provincial Communication Officer been hard at work implementing fire manual fuel load reduction at the

KZN teams prepare for WOF Modimolle Team the winter fire season shows impressive work rate As the winter fire season approaches, Working on Fire KwaZulu-Natal conducted various Integrated Fire Management activities to ensure the safety of community members, property and firefighters. The WOF Albert Falls Team constructed a firebreak along the fence of the Albert Falls Dam Nature Reserve, which is not only a water resource but also home to indigenous wild animals. The eThekwini Team conducted fuel load reduction at the Augusta Ridge site. They have slashed six hectares and will continue performing Integrated Fire Management activities at other sites. The High Altitude (HAT) Teams WOF firefighters hard at work have also been busy, with the Injisuthi Team removing unwanted alien inva- With a cold and dry winter approach- Estate, situated in Bela-Bela, south of sive plants such as Lantana. Removing ing the interior plateau of the coun- Limpopo. The farmer had assumed the alien invasive plants reduces the try, complicated by berg winds, the WOF firefighters would complete the task intensity of a fire by reducing its potential for wildfires increases sig- in two weeks but, due to their hard work potential fuel sources. The Injisuthi HAT team removes nificantly. and dedication, the Modimolle Team only alien invasive plants to help reduce Working on Fire Limpopo’s Modimolle needed a week to complete the work. the spread of unwanted fires Nompilo Zondi, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Communication Officer Team addressed the threat by removing vegetation through manual fuel load Ofentse Letswalo, Limpopo Provincial Communication Officer reduction (stack burning) at the Verloren

Page 02 Working on Fire: An Expanded Public Works Programme implemented by the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Senekal Team assists in Fire Awareness continues restoring town’s despite COVID-19 The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic educating them on topics such as fire appearance has changed life as we know it. safety in the home, fire hazards, veld The Senekal/Matwabeng Community When the country went back to Alert and forest fires, and evacuation proce- Forum has initiated a project to restore Level 3 of the National Lockdown dures. the small town of Senekal to its former in December and gatherings were Listeners were able to call in and ask glory, following the destructive and halted, Working on Fire Mpumalanga relevant questions and Siwela provided disruptive protests that occurred. Community Fire Awareness Officer, answers and additional information about Community members and local Mbuso Siwela, continued conducting the WOF Programme and its partners. organisations played various roles in this Fire Safe workshops and educating After the country returned to Alert project and the Imperani Fire Protection the community at large through the Level 1 in February, Siwela was invited to Association roped in the Working on Fire medium of radio. the South African National Defence Force team to conduct vegetation clearing in Siwela has been a regular voice (SANDF) Nkomazi Macadamia military and around the town to minimise the risk on the community and commercial base, where he conducted a Fire Safe of runaway veld fires in the area. radio stations in the province, raising workshop for the border post soldiers “The Senekal/Matwabeng Com- awareness of fire safety. in person, while adhering to COVID-19 Mbuso Siwela, WOF Mpumalanga munity Forum is busy with a project to The CFAO recently conducted safety protocols. Community Fire Awareness Officer, is a regular voice on provincial radio restore the image of the town following presentations on Rise FM and Bush- stations, conducting Fire Safe presenta- buckridge FM, interacting with the Amanda Mthembu, Mpumalanga the riots. The WOF team was tasked with Provincial Communication Officer tions for the listeners clearing bushes surrounding a school in stations’ listeners on fire safety and Matwabeng. It was a high-profile event and we thank the WOF team who availed themselves,” says Jan de Villiers of the Wayne Mokhethi, Free State Provincial Communication Officer Imperani Fire Protection Association. Limpopo Hotshots assist Western Cape with raging fire Members of the Working on Fire Free State Senekal Team clear overgrown vegetation in Senekal Working on Fire Limpopo Hotshots were called to duty to assist WOF Western Cape at a raging wildfire that occurred in Brandrivier and passed through the mountains in the North West firefighters Barrydale area in February. The Hotshots, firefighters from all WOF Hotshots provide aid at a raging the provinces WOF operates in, are in Western Cape fire prepare for Yellow Card the Western Cape to assist with the summer fire season. Cape is currently in its last leg of the Training Camps WOF and Kishugu aerial resources summer fire season. are also deployed in the Western Cape Ofentse Letswalo, Limpopo to provide aerial firefighting support Provincial Communication Officer to the ground teams. The Western

Working on Fire North West strict

North West firefighters undergo fitness tests in on COVID-19 WOF North West participants and preparation for the upcoming management are adhering to the Yellow Card Training Camps protocols coronavirus precautions The Working on Fire Programme has North West General Manager, Noluvuyo Working on Fire North West is taking theory. Fitness exercises include the taken decisive actions to prioritise the Mashologu. all the necessary precautions to 2,4 km race, sit-ups, push-ups and health and safety of all WOF employees WOF vehicles are regularly sanitised ensure its 17 teams remain fit and pull-ups. by arming them with COVID-19 informa- and participants observe social distanc- healthy, by regularly conducting “We are busy preparing our tion in awareness workshops. The ing and wear face masks at all times. physical exercises. firefighters for this year’s Yellow Card organisation has also provided face Refilwe Mogapi, Junior Occupational The teams are getting ready for Training Camps and we wish them all masks, hand sanitisers and cleaning Health and Safety Officer, says:I “ ensure the upcoming Yellow Card Training the luck,” says Training Officer Lydia materials to keep them safe. daily screening protocols are observed. Assessment set to take place in Sereo. “The coronavirus is still out there, even There are sanitiser stations at all entrances April. if the President has moved the country of the office and the staff maintain social The assessment prepares WOF down to Level 1 of the national lockdown. distancing in the office.” firefighters for the upcoming winter Maria Letsholo, North West Provincial Communication Officer I urge all North West participants and fire season and includes fitness and management to keep on adhering to the Maria Letsholo, North West Provincial Communication Officer COVID-19 rules and protocols,” says WOF

An Expanded Public Works Programme implemented by the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries: Working on Fire Page 03 Participant steps up to Former Ugie participant Assistant Administration becomes Regional Manager Controller post Neliswa Mbovane was recently appointed as the Regional Manager of Working on Fire continues to develop some of the Working on Fire Eastern and upskill its participants and more Cape’s Sarah Baartman teams. than 50 percent of its management staff “My life before joining Working on are former participants. Fire was very difficult as my mother WOF Mpumalanga recently ap- did not have a proper job and she tried pointed Bongani Mkhatshwa in a de- her best to raise the two of us as a velopmental position as the province’s single mother,” Mbovane says. Assistant Administration Controller. Mbovane joined the Programme in He joins Sarafina Shongwe, the WOF 2010 and within a year was nominated Mpumalanga Administration Controller, as the SHE Rep for the the Ugie Team who reports to the Ground Operations base. department. She was selected to attend The former firefighter fromN elspruit the Type 2 Crew Leader course in was recruited to WOF in 2015 at the 2012 and the Type 1 course in 2016, LEFPA Base, which is partnered with the which she completed successfully. Lowveld and Escarpment Fire Protection Mbovane also completed Wildland Association (LEFPA). Mkhatshwa has an Firefighting, Incident Command Office Administration qualification from System and Incident Investigation Working on Fire Eastern Cape the Enhlanzeni TVET College and is a welcomed Neliswa Mbovane as a training. beneficiary of the WOF Skills Develop- Regional Manager Mbovane began her duties as ment Programme. Regional Manager in March and the WOF Mpumalanga, which is now province wishes her all the best in Nthabiseng Mokone, Eastern Cape almost fully staffed for the upcoming Provincial Communication Officer her new role. winter fire season, wishes Mkhatshwa all Bongani Mkhatshwa, a former LEFPA the best in his new journey. participant, has joined Working on Fire Mpumalanga management staff as the Amanda Mthembu, Mpumalanga provincial Assistant Administration LEFPA Crew Leader Provincial Communication Officer Controller secures promotion at HAT

Zama Khazimula epitomises the The former firefighter acquired Working on Fire value of ‘Restoring leadership, management, commu- Dignity’. Khazimula was recently ap- nication, computer, firefighting and pointed as the Human Resources OHS investigation skills at WOF. He Assistant at the N a t i o n a l H i g h says his deployments to Canada and to Attitude Team (HAT) office in December Cape Town for the summer fire season 2020. were the highlights of his firefighting His journey at WOF began at the career. Kishugu Training Academy, where he Khazimula is hard at work studying worked as a groundsman. Khazimula for his National Diploma in Human tried his luck at a WOF recruitment Resource Management. His ultimate in 2010 and was selected to become career goal is to become a labour rela- a firefighter. In 2012, he was appointed tions attorney. as a Type 2 Crew Leader which brought The National HAT office and WOF along a lot of travelling. He led five Mpumalanga wish Khazimula all the best bases in his time as a firefighter: in his new position. the Goudveld Team in the Southern

Cape, Suikerbos in Gauteng and Former LEFPA Crew Leader, Zama Khazimula, was recently appointed as the Amanda Mthembu, Mpumalanga Injaka, Nelspruit and LEFPA in Mpuma- Human Resource Assistant at the National High Altitude Team (HAT) office Provincial Communication Officer langa.

KwaZulu-Natal recruits 47 previously unemployed youth

Working on Fire KwaZulu-Natal topped nearby communities. The Forest Support up teams and opened a new team Team will be involved in the preparation under the Forest Support Programme, and burning of firebreaks, prescribed opening its doors to 47 previously burning, invasive alien vegetation unemployed youth. clearing, fire suppression, silviculture KZN Ground Operations Manager, activities and fighting veld and forest Mortas Khambule, says: “Recruiting fires. for top-ups in bases is not only about With the COVID-19 pandemic causing restoring dignity but it is part of our many job losses, the recruits were very Best Operations Procedure, to ensure the happy for the opportunity to protect their safety of both community members and communities while also putting food on our firefighters.” the table for their families. New recruits push themselves during the selection The province also held recruitments process at a recent recruitment drive for the third Forest Support Team at Nompilo Zondi, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Communication Officer Qhudeni, which will employ 25 youth from

Page 04 Working on Fire: An Expanded Public Works Programme implemented by the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Recruitment drive ensures WOF is ready for the winter fire season Working on Fire provides young unem- Training Academy in Nelspruit. Upon ployed men and women in small towns completion, they will return to their towns and cities where work is scarce with a and cities to serve their communities. way out of poverty by providing them With this opportunity, these indi- with work opportunities. viduals will be able to provide and care An extensive recruitment drive was for their families and WOF gains the held across the Free State, with the inten- necessary team strength to be effective tion of topping up teams with firefighters and efficient in conducting Integrated Potential candidates do sit-ups in preparation for the winter fire season. Fire Management. during recruitment in Bethle- A total of 48 males and females were hem, Free State selected to attend professional veld and Wayne Mokhethi, Free State Provincial Communication Officer forest firefighting training at the Kishugu

WOF recruits more firefighters Preparations underway in the Western Cape for fire season

Aspirant firefighters during recruitment in Ceres

Hopefuls attempt the rigorous Working on Fire Working on Fire Western Cape Gouritzmond, Melkhoutfontein, Union- fitness test during the recruitment drive recruited 38 new firefighters from dale, Crags, Goudveld, Concordia across the province and opened a and Sedgefield communities. They Working on Fire Mpumalanga re- The province also sent the new base in the West Coast District are currently in Bloemfontein, Free cently conducted a recruitment drivers and Safety Health and Environ- Municipality after a recruitment drive State, where they are completing drive at bases across the province ment Representatives (SHE Reps) recently. their advanced firefighting training in preparation for the upcoming to refresher training workshops Twelve of the new recruits were to ensure they are fully skilled to winter fire season. Selections were at the Academy, where they recruited in Ceres, where WOF fight fires. conducted under strict COVID-19 refreshed their theoretical know- has opened a new base in partnership “We welcome the new firefighters protocols. ledge to ensure best practices at the with the Witzenberg Local Municipal- into the WOF Programme and we Candidates were put through the base. ity. will continue to give them skills they rigorous WOF fitness test of a 2,4 km The Yellow Card Training Camps Working on Fire’s recruitment would not have been able to get on run, push-ups, pull-ups and sit-ups. A are set to take place in April. All assessment criteria include fitness their own. We hope to see them leave total of 45 new recruits were selected these preparations will ensure WOF tests, which consist of completing for greener pastures and make way who will top up teams to ensure teams Mpumalanga is ready and able to 40 push-ups, 40 sit-ups and pull-ups, for others in the future,” says WOF’s are at full strength going into the fire assist partners and stakeholders as well as a 2,4 kilometre run (in 14 Western Cape General Manager, season. The new recruits will undergo with Integrated Fire Management minutes for females and 12 minutes Melany Duthie-Surtie. specialised veld and forest firefighting services. for males). training at Kishugu Training Academy, The new firefighters were recruited Limakatso Khalianyane, Western Cape Nelspruit, and will report to their Amanda Mthembu, Mpumalanga in the Mamre, Hermanus, Tulbagh, Provincial Communication Officer Provincial Communication Officer respective bases upon completion.

vantaged communities across the WOF kicks province. A large number of unemployed youth were given the opportunity to the year be employed by undergoing the WOF standard selection fitness test at a off with recruitment drive. More than 20 previously unemployed youth were selected and will attend more job advanced veld and forest firefighting training at the Kishugu Training Academy opportunities in Nelspruit. “The recruitment and selection for youth process went very well and I am very happy we recruited more females,” says Working on Fire N o r t h We s t Training Officer Lydia Sereo. continues to make a difference Working on Fire North West implements its by creating job opportunities for Maria Letsholo, North West mandate of creating job opportunities Provincial Communication Officer young men and women from disad-

An Expanded Public Works Programme implemented by the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries: Working on Fire Page 05 Newlands Crew Leader spearheads organic garden project Investing time in improving nutrition

Bonga Bekwa works in a newly established food garden with his firefighters Richard Hlatshwayo cultivating the garden After being selected among a handful of organic gardening, alternative home other colleagues to attend organic food building and permaculture design. The Working on Fire Programme and the crops grew beautifully too. security training, Bonga Bekwa, a Crew Bekwa has begun making compost established the Food Security We currently have crops of maize and Leader for the Working on Fire Western with kitchen waste and he will add it to Programme under the Social De- beans,” he says. Cape Newlands Team, is implementing his garden as soon as it is ready. The Crew velopment department as part of KZN Social Development Prac- what he learned at his base. Leader has already planted vegetables a food security initiative to assist titioner, Sabelo Buthelezi, says: “I Bekwa has established an organic such as cabbage, beetroot, carrots and participants’ families and to donate am very happy to see participants vegetable garden and aims to pass on spinach. to disadvantaged households in their seeing the value of these food gardens his newly acquired knowledge to his “I love anything that has to do with communities. because they really assist many colleagues. agriculture and this training is something During the festive season, when households.” He was selected out of 20 other I have always wanted. I plan to begin my most participants take time to relax “This year, I plan to establish hopefuls to attend the month-long farm at home to make an extra income,” with family and friends, Richard this project at a local primary school training at the Schools Environmental he says. Hlatshwayo from the KwaZulu-Natal with the guidance of Mr Buthelezi, to Education and Development (SEED) Bekwa’s interest in agriculture was Winterton Team volunteered to look teach children the value of the land,” based in Mitchell’s Plain, Western Cape. spotted by Social Development Prac- after the teams’ garden while other Hlatshwayo says. SEED provides accredited skills training titioner, Colleen Paulus, who entered participants were on leave. “I enjoyed programmes for the underprivileged him and other participants in the SEED cultivating the garden, which in- Nompilo Zondi, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Communication Officer youth of Mitchell’s Plain, equipping them programme. After a lengthy selection cluded watering and weed control with the knowledge and skills to establish process, Bekwa emerged victorious. organic gardens. The training covered rainwater harvesting, low/no-cost soil Limakatso Khalianyane, Western Cape Provincial Communication Officer fertility, integrated pest management, Limpopo says NO to Making informed financial decisions gender-based violence

New recruits learn more about financial management

Working on Fire Eastern Cape contin- of this workshop was to make sure that ued to show its commitment to the participants learned how to use money well-being of its employees when the wisely, how to budget, how to save and Social Development department in the how to avoid being in debt. WOF Limpopo says no to gender-based violence province organised First National Bank “Many people find themselves in to conduct financial education for all debt they could have avoided,” Selokoma participants and provincial staff. says. President Cyril Ramaphosa declared unusual long periods of time with The Social Development Practitioner, She further stated it did not matter a national lockdown to curb the families. Siphokazi Jack, said phase one of these whether one earned more money. If one spread of the coronavirus. However, These reasons do not justify such educational workshops began in 2019 did not know how to budget and save, in the fight against the pandemic, behaviours, as there are ways in which with the nine teams from the Western one would end up being in debt. many South African women and matters can be dealt with without re- region of Eastern Cape and they have One of the new recruits said the children found themselves also sorting to violence or abuse. If you are now been rolled out to the Eastern financial education workshop was en- having to deal with gender-based facing such difficulties and distress, region. lightening as being employed by WOF violence (GBV). it is best to seek help and talk about New recruits from the Baviaanskloof was his first job and making informed Reported GBV cases increased it. Contact your Social Development and Longmore teams took part in the financial decisions would assist him to drastically, with many reasons Practitioner if you need help. workshop before going to Kishugu Train- change his life. behind the escalation. These ing Academy for their 25-day training. included financial distress due to Ofentse Letswalo, Limpopo Provincial Communication Officer Ayanda Selokoma, the financial Nthabiseng Mokone, Eastern Cape loss of income and spending Provincial Communication Officer educator from FNB, said the objective

Page 06 Working on Fire: An Expanded Public Works Programme implemented by the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries WOF stipend changes a family’s fortunes

Working on Fire Gauteng Heidelberg She says, “It pains me not to have participant, Maria Qiliba, is a high school completed matric and I intend to go back dropout. She dropped out in grade 10 to to school if my siblings get jobs.” search for employment and ultimately The stipend enables Qiliba to buy become the sole breadwinner in her enough groceries and electricity for the home. family. “My mother was not working and “My younger brother is studying starvation was a serious problem in the at the moment. I can care for him,” she house. Most of the time I went to bed says. hungry,” she says. After her recruitment by WOF, her Parapara Makgahlela, Gauteng household condition changed for the bet- Maria Qiliba’s dignity was restored by the Working on Fire Programme Provincial Communication Officer ter because of the stipend she earned.

Stop violence against Working on Fire

women and children The organisation that lifts our standard higher, I row and I row with a silent voice. A poverty alleviation programme A silent voice of a man. and a sole provider, Thunderstorm! Storm! And light- Community builder and our morale ning! lifter. Cutting thoroughly through throats of ruffled families. We thank you for giving us job opportunities and skills, Families of a mother, So we can manage our responsibili- Families of a father, ties and pay our bills. A silent voice of a man. We thank you for making us Fathers are no more fathers but proud, feathers, Feather to wipe the dust, dust due Even during this pandemic, we can to unemployment. shout out loud. Unemployment is no empowerment You are the green light that makes so never undermine our future bright,

A poor man who is to a man to Taught us to be disciplined and not maintain a mandate to be a man. to fight, A silent voice of a man. Scrapped our dull minds and gave From human to human and humili- us the green light. ation, A shoulder to lean on to the people Dishonesty, disorder and destruc- in need, tion, Kishugu, you are the best trainer Destruction to deformation. indeed, Listen to the voice of a silent man. Keep up the good work in making No woman, no child is your punching people succeed. bag. You transform gangsters into fire- Gender equality is not gender in- fighters, equality. Listen to that voice of a baby cry- You turn tough times into nice ing. times, No!! If you weren’t here, there would be React! Respond! Retrospect! no one like us. Be responsible! WOF gave us the ability to maintain stability, Poem by: Sive Ngcuka, BCR from the Yes, I’m talking remedy to rectify. Working on Fire Nomadamba Base Terminate Gender-Based Violence Also gave us the strength to show flexibility. Against women and children. Time is right now and now is the You even accommodate our fellows right time. with disability. A voice of a silent man. Carry on doing good because finally on our tables there is food. Yes, a voice of a silent man is to stand, We thank you! Poem by: Jacob Malebye, SHE Rep at Stop the violence and abuse Working on Fire Limpopo’s Sondela Base Against our women and children!

An Expanded Public Works Programme implemented by the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries: Working on Fire Page 07 Long-haul trucker grateful Tulbagh firefighter for WOF training realises a dream Thabang Nxanga is among 20 Working on Fire participants who were sent for structural firefighting training and is now doing his practicals at the Witzenberg Local Municipality in Ceres in the Western Cape. Nxanga joined the WOF Programme at the Tulbagh Base in 2016 and his main goal was to get experience and venture into structural firefighting. Four years later, WOF has made his dream a reality. “I was over the moon when I was selected and I can never thank Jack Baloyi, a former WOF WOF enough for sending me for this driver, has moved on training and giving me this opportunity,”

Pre-covid image Pre-covid he says. During his time as a WOF veld Jack Baloyi recently exited the Work- my colleagues to fire calls, inter alia. and forest firefighter, Nxanga fell in ing on Fire Programme to become I learned a lot about road safety and love with Occupational H e a l t h a driver for a logistics company in am truly grateful to have worked with and Safety and he completed a year-long Pretoria. Baloyi had been a WOF youngsters during my stay.” OHS course at Oxbridge Academy in driver since he joined the Programme Baloyi urged former colleagues 2017. in Gauteng in 2008. to remain resolute and disciplined at Speaking of his new environment at He was recruited as a driver at all times. Witzenberg Municipality Fire and Rescue, Dinokeng Base in Hammanskraal and General Manager Stephen Boyes he says he is learning as much as he can completed several rigorous driver’s says Baloyi was one of the more ex- and is implementing what he learned in training courses. perienced and older drivers in the real life. “I am now driving huge trucks and province, adding: “He was a loyal and The young man intends getting his crisscrossing the country. The training competent driver and I wish him well Code 14 driver’s licence as he now aims at WOF has made a huge positive for the future.” to drive the municipal fire trucks when impact on my current job,” Baloyi says. they have call-outs. “It is an honour to have been a part Parapara Makgahlela, Gauteng Provincial Communication Officer of the Programme and transporting Limakatso Khalianyane, Western Cape Thabang Nxanga wants to further his Provincial Communication Officer firefighting skill

Baking’s a winning HUMAN RIGHTS

recipe for breadwinner Let us get back to being human, Working on Fire Gauteng JS Moroka Let us not violate each other’s participant, Thabisile Thaga, has rights, found a new passion in baking. The As we lost it some way back, storeperson bakes everything from bread and muffins to cakes, and has Let us regain the human track. raised capital to begin a bakery at Let us get back to our roots and her home. back where our loved ones lost their “I wake up early in the morning to lives fighting for our rights. prepare recipes and sort out orders for my mother, who runs the business, The right to live. before departing to work,” she says. The right to religion. Thaga created the opportunity, The right to education. she says, to better her financial situ- ation because she needed the extra Let us get back to being human, income as the sole breadwinner in It is who we are meant to be. her household. Gloriah Khati, of Working on Fire It was the WOF Programme that To be humans, Free State Theunissen Base enabled Thaga’s business idea to become a reality because she would Let us respect each other’s rights, not have qualified for a loan without As we all have freedom. an income. Thaga says: “We run the business from home, which I began in Freedom of speech. January last year. I had to save money Freedom of movement. and buy stoves and other essential Freedom of press. equipment for the business.” There is no time to sleep, she says, Let us get to being human, because bills need to be paid and hard work is important. Let us respect those who lost their “I have a child who needs me to Thabisile Thaga aims to become the lives fighting for freedom, best baker be fed, clothed and educated. All that Let us live in harmony of human requires money.” rights, Her next objective is to expand Parapara Makgahlela, Gauteng Provincial Communication Officer Let us get back to being human. her market around the municipality.

Page 08 Working on Fire: An Expanded Public Works Programme implemented by the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries