wofire news...cape, eastern cape and gauteng successfully completed 10 weeks of vigorous structural...

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

WOFIRE NEWSVOLUME 9 EDitiOn

Saving Lives Protecting the Environment Restoring Dignity

Working on Fire Working on Fire - WOF tV news Channel @wo_fire 9 DECEMBER 2020

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Message from WOF MD Trevor Abrahamsmany of them being appointed to senior management positions. Well done. the organisation will continue to support you in your capacity. i hope these former firefighters’ journeys inspire the firefighters currently working in their bases.

the 2020/2021 summer fire season began on 1 December and WOF has availed ground and aerial resources to the Western and Eastern Cape. On behalf of the WOF family, i wish all our teams and management the best in what is anticipated to be a very busy fire season.

Our current contract with the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries to implement the Work-ing on Fire EPWP comes to an end in March 2021. i again reassure every staff member, WOF operations will continue as is no matter who is the implementing agent. Kishugu has tendered for the implementation of the WOF Programme for the next

works of our fire season preparations. Despite all this, our organisation man-aged to successfully assist in many fire suppression operations.

the fires in the latter part of the season in the Free State tested our endurance, but the teamwork displayed by partners, landowners, fire protection associations, the community and WOF attested to the great relationships built over the past 17 years. Well done to all the teams, the management staff and all the organisation’s partners for a successful winter fire season.

WOF reached a milestone this year, celebrating 17 years of its existence with the theme, ‘17 Years of Partnership for Success’. We continue to celebrate all our partners, big and small, in every sector of the firefighting and disaster management fraternity because without their contribution, the Programme would not have soared to such great heights.

it gives me great joy to see our firefighters moving up the ranks into management positions. this year saw

the Working on Fire Programme has released various ground and aerial resources to support the Western Cape as it enters the 2020/21 summer fire season.

Five Hotshot teams, made up of 110 firefighters, touched down on Western Cape soil on 30 november, to begin their standby duties from 1 December. they are stationed in newlands, Wolwekloof, Riversdale and George.

there is also a team of environmental monitors supporting the table Mountain national Park. they have been deployed across the tourist attraction to monitor and report hazards such as fires.

Ground crews now total more than 900 firefighters, including the more than 700 firefighters already based in the province. the province has 37 vehicles in support, including fire trucks, strike units, buses and bakkies. An additional

20 vehicles arrived with the additional teams. these include vehicles that will be supporting aviation.

twenty-four aerial resources, consist-ing of bombers, choppers and spotters, are already on standby at their stations in George, Riversdale, Bredasdorp, Stellenbosch and Porterville.

the province is anticipating a busy summer fire season due to the vast amount of rainfall and vegetation growth this year.

Western Cape beefs up resources for the summer fire season

Limakatso Khalianyane, Western Cape Provincial Communication Officer

Hotshot teams and environmental monitors based in Newlands

Aerial resources in Newlands

WOF participants become structural firefighters

thirty Working on Fire veld and forest firefighters from the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Gauteng successfully completed 10 weeks of vigorous structural firefight-ing training and graduated on 4 December at the Rural Metro in Greytown, KwaZulu-natal.

the seven female and 23 male participants began training on 5 October in the course modules of Firefighting 1, Hazmat Awareness and First Aid Level 3.

At the graduation, WOF training and Development Manager, Chusa Matsha, said: “today we are here to celebrate the hard work and dedication our participants displayed during their training and wish them all of the best in their endeavours.”

the firefighters will be deployed to various municipalities to undergo on-the-job training until March 2021, after which their progress will be reviewed.

the graduates were ecstatic at their achievement and encouraged their base colleagues to grab such opportunities with both hands and open new doors in their careers.

Working on Fire Chief Operations Officer, Shane Christian, said: “We are very happy with our participants’ achievements. they must continue to display Working on Fire standards of fitness and discipline within these municipalities, as they will be repre-senting the WOF brand and setting the benchmark for other veld and forest firefighters who will follow.”

The graduated WOF Gauteng, Eastern Cape and Western Cape structural firefighters are excited to begin their new journey

the year 2020 will be one for the history books, with all our lives impacted in one way or another. Despite all the challenges, the Work-ing on Fire programme remains one of the best Expanded Public Works Programmes in the country. this is all thanks to the staff’s commitment and perseverance.

We concluded the 2020 winter fire season in October, and i congratulate all the provinces for their hard work, determination and strength. it was not an easy feat, with the COViD-19 pandemic putting a spanner in the Continued on page 3

02Page Working on Fire: An Expanded Public Works Programme implemented by the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries

Melanie Duthie-Surtie Western Cape general Manager

SiFiSo keSWa kwaZulu-natal general Manager

antoinette Jini Free State general Manager

Phanuel nkuna limpopo assistant general Manager

FeStive SeaSon MeSSageS FroM WoF ProvinCial ManageMent

We have reached the end of the year and we can only give the glory to God, who carried us through this turbulent time. i ask that we all remain safe during the festive season, spend and enjoy our time with our loved ones and return refreshed and ready to serve.

StePhen BoyeS gauteng general Manager

We have come to the end of our winter fire season and on behalf of the Working on Fire provincial management team, i congratulate you for the sterling work done during the duration of it, which is very commendable. it has not been easy, due to the COViD-19 pandemic, but we succeeded as a team. Many of you are looking forward to the festive season while others will be deployed to the Western Cape for the summer fire season. i applaud you for complying and enforcing BOP at all times at the bases. You have done the best work. i trust the base partners have benefited from the vital services you render. Enjoy your festive season and stay safe all times.

Wishing you a blessed and safe festive season. May you all be safe on the roads and be fire safe when you celebrate with your families. Please do continue to adhere to the COViD-19 rules and regulations as the virus is very much still out there and active. it is up to us to take the responsibility of keeping ourselves and our families safe. Ensure that you rest well and return safely.

Merry Christmas and a prosperous new Year.

noluvuyo MaShologu north West general Manager

the festive season is upon us again, and i wish our participants and management staff a happy festive season. it has been a testing year for all of us with COViD-19 ripping the world apart. We thank the Almighty that none of our north West family have lost their lives. it is really by God’s Grace. i wish our Hotshots team good luck and i am confident you will carry your responsibilities with dedication and pride, knowing that you are the ambassadors of the province. to those going on holiday, please stay safe. Wishing the WOF family a very happy festive season!

the summer fire season began this month in the Western Cape and i welcome the visiting teams from all the provinces who have sacrificed their festive season to come here to lend a helping hand.

i encourage everyone to remain vigilant and careful with the ongoing pandemic. Please follow the rules and regulations to ensure your safety at the base and on the fire line.

to the management of the Western Cape, i know most of you will be working but i wish every one of you a great festive season. Keep safe.

PhuMZa Dyanyti eastern Cape general Manager

On behalf of Working on Fire Eastern Cape, we confirm to our partners and stakeholders that our resources, which include our teams, are truly ready for the summer fire season. With these resources in place, we are very confident that we will combat all unwanted fires throughout the Sarah Baartman District.

Wishing our partners, participants and provincial staff a blissful Christmas.

As we draw closer to the end of 2020, i strongly encourage all KwaZulu-natal staff members and firefighters to not drop their guard because COViD-19 is still with us. Let us protect ourselves and our families and return in one piece.

i wish you all well during the festive season. Enjoy this time with your family, reflect on this year with gratitude for still being able to be together. Act responsibly, stay safe and let us meet again in 2021.

Bongani nhlaBathi Mpumalanga assistant general Manager

Working on Fire Mpumalanga had a successful winter fire season and it was all possible because of our courageous firefighters, management staff and trusted partners. With the highs came the lows; however, we soldiered on. thank you for persevering through it all. Your dedication and support are recognised and celebrated. As we go on our festive holiday, i wish you a safe journey and a safe return in the new year. Remember to stay safe at all times. Merry Christmas and a Happy new Year.

the Deputy Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Ms Makhotso Sotyu, accompanied by several MECs and mayors in the Free State, visited the China-South Africa Aquaculture technology Demonstration Centre next to the Gariep Dam to inspect the facility.

the Working on Fire Zastron team was given the mandate to perform various integrated Fire Management activities on the premises and its surroundings. the team spent a week conducting controlled burns in areas where vegetation was growing uncontrollably. these firefighters additionally removed alien invasive

Working on Fire joins hands with stakeholders in Xhariepplant species that threaten local plant species. All these activities ensure that the facility is safer from the risks of veld fires that may occur in the vicinity.

The Working on Fire Zastron Team held a guard of honour for Ms Makhotso Sotyu, the Deputy Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries

Wayne Mokhethi, Free State Provincial Communication Officer


Matema Gwangwa, Limpopo Provincial Communication Officer

A total of 24 Working on Fire Hotshots crew members from various teams in the north West, together with their two Assistant Regional Managers, Victor Floors and Cornelius Sebotoma, have been deployed to assist with the summer fire season.

WOF north West and Dr Kobus Roux, the north West chairperson of the Umbrella Fire Protection Associa-

north West firefighters take on summer fire season

With the winter fire season done and dusted, the Working on Fire Limpopo Hotshot team, consisting of 20 fire-fighters selected from various bases across the province and one Regional Manager, have been deployed in sup-port of WOF Western Cape for what is anticipated to be a busy summer fire season.

“i am honoured to be selected to join the Hotshot team which will be represent-ing our province in the Western Cape. i

am looking forward to the experience, as this is my first national deployment,” says Dolly Makgane, a type 2 Crew Leader from Rooiberg Base.

these firefighters have been rigor-ously trained and are ready to face any obstacles they might encounter in the Western Cape. WOF Limpopo wishes them the best of luck.

Limpopo firefighters gear up for Western Cape fire season

With the winter fire season concluded and the commencement of the summer fire season the Free State saw a steady increase, compared to the past two years, in the number of fires reported.

in the 2018 fire season, 294 fires were reported, which resulted in an estimated total of 37 496 hectares burnt, while the 2019 fire season saw 415 fires, with an estimated 65 800 hectares burnt. in comparison, 541 fires were recorded in the 2020 fire season with the loss of about 102 829 hectares of vegetation.

the increase in fires in the prov-ince have been attributed to climate change and the recent drought the

province experienced leaving behind dry and overgrown vegetation that fuel fires.

Bongani Mashiane, WOF Free State Ground Operations Manager, says: “the Working on Fire personnel worked very hard, hand-in-hand with Fire Protection Associations, communities and landowners in preparing for the winter fire sea-son and precautionary measures were implemented, which included manual fuel load reduction, firebreaks, block burns, fire awareness and training.”

Free State concludes 2020 winter fire season

WOF KwaZulu-natal concludes winter fire seasonKZn General Manager, Sifiso Keswa,

says: “this year, the country experienced its first-ever national lockdown due to the COViD-19 pandemic and the programme could only commence with fire season preparations and prescribed burning in May, because fire awareness activities had been put on hold.”

WOF implemented fire awareness activities, reaching communities through community radio stations, with the aim of educating them about the dangers

it has been a very hard year for Working on Fire firefighters, attend-ing unwanted fires in communities, plantations and private land while ensuring they adhere to COViD-19 protocols. From 15 May to 14 novem-ber, WOF KwaZulu-natal teams were called out to 270 fires that burnt an est imated 21 982 hectares of vegetation. this was a decrease com-pared to 2019, when 331 fires were recorded.

of veld and forest fires and also safety measures to use in their homes.

“We appreciate all the support we have received from our partners who have worked with us throughout the year,” says Keswa. “KZn sent a Hotshot team of 16 firefighters to assist the Western Cape during the summer fire season. We wish them a safe journey.”

Kokstad firefighters suppressing a fire near Franklin

NW firefighters off to assist the Western Cape with the summer fire season

A total of 20 Limpopo firefighters hit the road to join Western Cape firefighters for the summer fire season

Free State Firefighters conduct a back burn in Ficksburg


nompilo Zondi, KwaZulu-natal Provincial Communication Officer

Maria Letsholo, north West Provincial Communication Officer

tion (UFPA), wished the team a safe trip and urged them to make them proud in representing the province.

Message from WOF MD trevor Abrahams

Continued from page 1

five years and we are confident that our tender submission will be successful.

As we approach the festive season, i urge each and every staff member going on holiday to adhere to the COViD-19 regulations and protocols. not only are you protecting your colleagues, but your community and family too. Remember to mask up, practice social distancing and sanitise your hands. Please celebrate responsibly and come back healthy and refreshed in the new year.

i wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy new Year.


Eastern Cape conducts online Early Childhood Development assessments

the 2020 winter fire season kept the Working on Fire north West firefight-ers on their toes as fires ravaged the province.

According to the Dispatch Centre, it was one of the busiest fire seasons in the history of north West, with a total of 155 fires recorded and 99 166 hectares of vegetation destroyed.

“With us being at the end of the fire season, i would like to take this opportunity to thank our firefighters who worked tirelessly throughout the season, in making sure lives and the environ-ment were protected,” says noluvuyo Mashologu, the General Manager of WOF north West.

“i would describe the season as one that brought the most out of each and everyone. As a collective, we worked hard with landowners and stakeholders to ensure disasters were averted,” says

north West wraps up fire season

Limpopo men meet to discuss wellness issues

to their centres and practise what they learned with the learners.

this programme resulted from a collaboration with Shoprite. WOF has been conducting these workshops for the past three years in different areas around the province.

“During the online assessment, educators were asked to video their learners demonstrating what they were taught under the following topics: cool the burn, fire drill, causes of fire and prevention,” Mooki says.

Working on Fire Limpopo’s Social Development department hosted their annual Men’s Forum workshop at the Polokwane nature Reserve.

this year’s forum adopted a ‘zero tolerance’ theme and focused on men’s health and aggression. Participants learned about the risks associated with aggression, which can lead to gender-based violence.

During her presentation, Ms Motu-batse, from the Department of Health in the Capricorn District, highlighted the importance of men knowing their bodies and prioritising their health.

“Men have a tendency of buying women gifts and drinks in exchange for sexual favours, and when that does not work in their favour, they use abuse to get what they want and that is a sign of weakness,” said Bernice Mashiane, a social worker from the Department of Social Development.

“Workshops like this should be frequent and we should unite as men and talk about such things because they can affect our lives negatively,” says Patrick Phahlane, a firefighter from Molemole Base.

WOF Limpopo men attending their annual Men’s Forum at Polokwane Nature Reserve

Working on Fire Eastern Cape recently conducted an online Early Childhood Development (ECD) assessment for three daycare centres.

According to the Fire Awareness department, the purpose of this assess-ment was to assess knowledge retention of fire safety messages by the educators, who had been taught in February this year, and to check the implementation of these messages.

teko Mooki, the WOF Eastern Cape Fire Awareness training Officer, says they conducted the ECD workshop in February to teach educators how to be fire safe, so that they could go back

the province welcomed Bongani nhlabathi back as Assistant General Manager in May and appointed two former firefighters, thobile Mabza and Eudance thethe, as Regional Managers to ensure that our ground operations teams functioned at full capacity.

the province also made huge strides in gender equality in the workplace by appointing three women drivers and five female type 2 Crew Leaders, continuing our support of women in leadership.

WOF Mpumalanga assisted in sup-pressing a total of 288 fires, with teams and management assisting at blazes that raged for days on end. the teams demonstrated a high level of commitment and sacrifice in getting the job done.

Bongani nhlabathi, Mpumalanga Assistant General Manager, says: “As we close off the 2020 winter fire season, i thank everyone who contributed to its success. We are in the off-season until the winter of 2021. However, teams are on standby and ready to assist if and when needed.

“Well done to our firefighters and management team for persevering through what will be written down in the history books as a very difficult period. Your tremendous support and work are noted and celebrated.”

Many men commit family violence due to a lack of knowledge, a lack of opportunity or space to talk about their problems, or failing to open up about their issues or to seek as-sistance from professional practitio-ners. Working on Fire KwaZulu-natal recently hosted a Men’s Forum in response to this problem.

KZn Social Development Prac-titioner, Sabelo Buthelezi, says: “the objective of this forum is to give men a platform where they can identify and challenge structures and institutions that keep gender inequality within society going.”

the forum raised awareness on social issues within the WOF organisation and local communities and shared information to safeguard teams and communities against any forms of abuse.

Guest speakers presented on topics such as what role men can play in fighting GBV, better health and support services for WOF men, and creating a safe environment.

KwaZulu-natal hosts annual Men’s Forum

Firefighters listen attentively to speakers at the Men’s Forum


MPU reflects on a tough year

WOF Mpumalanga provincial staff are in good spirits after ending the year on a high note

Working on Fire North West concludes winter fire season

Metse Maitisa, the north West Provincial Coordinator.

“the fires in Amalia, Vryburg and Jan Kempdorp were a good example of great partnerships between all stakeholders involved. i thank all the stakeholders for their dedication and commitment while we were faced with that disaster,” adds Mashologu.

Daycare learners learn how to be fire safe despite the COVID-19 pandemic

Working on Fire Mpumalanga thanks its partners, fire protection associations, base managers, stakeholders, manage-ment staff and especially the firefighters for a job well done during the 2020 winter fire season.

Despite many challenges, most im-portantly, facing the COViD-19 pandemic and having to adjust to a new way of operating, the 2020 winter fire season was a success.

Amanda Mthembu, Mpumalanga Provincial Communication Officer



nthabiseng Mokone, Eastern Cape Provincial Communication Officer

Community leader and former school principal, Sipho ntuli, gave an insightful talk on manhood: ‘what makes a man; how a man must be responsible from a young age; taking care of himself; and how a man is an ini-tiator and protector in his community and, most importantly, at home.’

Women firefighters from all the teams gave their male counterparts a list of concerns to discuss at the forum. Members of the men’s forum also drew up a list for the annual women’s forum, with the aim of peacefully solving relevant issues.


Our children and women are ter-rorised and brutalised by men they call father, friend or stranger.

At home, they are raped and killed.

On the streets, they are killed and left in the parks.

they are raped while they are carry-ing unborn babies in their bellies.

Women and children are killed.

Stop gender-based violence.

What is it that we should do as women to apologize to men who are killing us?

What did we do to men?

Men that should love us.

Men that should take care of us.

Men should protect us as women.

Men, go back to your roots,

God created you to be the heads of households, not abusers.

You were created to love us, not abuse us.

Stop gender-based violence.

Women, you are fearfully and beauti-fully created by our Almighty.

Mosadi tsoha o nketsetse.

Mosadi tsoha o ikemele.

Mosadi tsoha o itwanele hobane bontate ba re fetohetse.

Vuka Mbhokodo, vuka!

Stop Gender-Based Violenceby Gloria Khati

Working on Fire Eastern Cape recently appointed Msindisi Poponi, a former firefighter, as the second Ground Op-erations Manager in the Eastern Cape. Poponi is one of many firefighters who have gone through the ranks to reach a management position at WOF.

Although still a young man, he is a wonderfully experienced 13-year veteran of the Programme, having been recruited in 2007 at Stutterheim Base, which was one of the first bases in the province.

Poponi worked in different areas within the organisation’s ground opera-tions, moving up from a firefighter to a

Hope restored to 124 marginalised youthsthe newly established Kishugu Mispa training Academy in the Free State has already seen hundreds of young men and women through its doors since its inception, who have graduated to serve their country as formidable veld and forest Working on Fire firefighters.

Most recently 124 young men and women graduated from this facil-ity, with new hope and purpose in their eyes.

the 62 participants and 62 for-estry support participants had completed

training that will assist in the rehabilita-tion of forests and plantations across the country.

“Return to your province and imple-ment what you have been taught here. Be happy and proud to serve your country and do what is right even when no one is watching,” Sivu Sithule, type 2 Crew Leader, said at the graduation ceremony.

Former firefighter Msindisi Poponi is now the Eastern Cape Ground Operations Manager

type 1 and type 2 Crew Leader before moving to nelspruit to become the training instructor in 2010.

He recalls being deployed to Canada in 2016 as one of the highlights of his career.

“We went to assist Canada in sup-pressing the fires and i learned a lot from that experience,” Poponi says.

WOF Eastern Cape wishes him all the best on his new journey in manage-ment.

Eastern Cape appoints GOM

the Working on Fire KwaZulu-natal Regional Managers (RM) recently completed Fire Web training or-ganised by the Dispatch department at the KZn Provincial Office.

Fire Web is a record-keeping tool that provides all the information needed relating to teams.

KZn Provincial Coordinator, Calvin Govindusamy, says: “the Regional Manager is able to check on move-ments that are overdue and action can be taken to source the outstanding documents and close off these move-ments.”

Govindusamy adds that the RM would also be able to view team production: the exact location of the task, what the team actually did in the task undertaken, the hours spent at the site, kilometres travelled, and whether the production target was met.

KZn Regional Managers equipped on Fire Web

Govindusamy says, “RMs will be able to use the polygon feature by marking out the exact position on Google Earth, to plot the vicinity and mark out the portion of the area worked.”

KZn Regional Manager, thobile Dlamuka, says: “it was beneficial for me to attend the training as it will make it easier for me to track discrep-ancies in route forms submitted to the Dispatch department by my teams and resolve the issue promptly, and ensure accurate information is shared with the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries.”

the Fire Web system will also assist the Ground Operations depart-ment to monitor their Annual Plan of Operations performance.

WOF KZN Regional Managers participate in the Fire Web training


Yeko Siphenathi and Chanique Wolhuter from the Witfontein Base were the best overall students



Gloriah Khati (Free State)


north West lights candles for those affected by GBV and HiV/AidsWorld Aids Day is commemorated each year on 1 December and is an op-portunity for people to unite in the fight against HiV/Aids and to show support to individuals infected and affected by the epidemic.

Working on Fire north West management staff and participants from various bases across the province

Working on Fire North West commemorates both 16 Days of Activism and World Aids Day

in a bid to fight Gender-based Violence (GBV) and build a culture where men protect women and children, Working on Fire Western Cape held a 16 Days of Activism for no Violence Against Women and Children campaign event

with 60 male firefighters from the False Bay, Jonkershoek, Mamre, Helderberg and Strand bases on 27 november.

the event was held in Mitchell’s Plain in partnership with the Departments of Health and Social Development.

the young men were part of a dialogue that tackled issues that lead to GBV, in which males are often the perpetrators.

Professional social workers and psychologists helped the firefight-ers to uncover the issues that lead to the abuse of women and they discussed how excessive anger could be con-trolled.

the provincial Social Development Practitioner, Colleen Paulus, said she

commemorated both 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence and World Aids Day on 1 December and observed a moment of silence to honour those who died or lost loved ones due to these scourges.

infected and do away with the stigma about the virus.”

the Vryheid Department of Health conducted a presentation addressing the difference between HiV and Aids, the importance of boys having role models in the community and the negative effects of gender-based violence.

the Boy Scouts designed and created a World Aid’s Day banner with the help of the type 2 Crew Leader, to show their support for those impacted by the virus.

the Working on Fire KwaZulu-natal Vryheid team, together with their Boy Scouts and the Department of Health, commemorated World Aids Day with a health-focused programme. Firefighters received health check-ups that included blood sugar, blood pressure and HiV/Aids testing, family planning advice and relevant medication.

KZn Social Development Practitio-ner, Sabelo Buthelezi, says: “As we know, HiV/Aids impacts the majority of us and this is why it was imperative to involve the Boy Scouts in this initiative, to also educate them on how people get

WOF KZn commemorates World Aids Day with the Boy Scouts

Working on Fire Eastern Cape management and the Hogsback team, ikhwezi Women Support Centre, Kusile Women Empower-ment, Cathcart community members and other stakeholders held a march against gender-based violence on 28 november in Cathcart.

the march was part of the 16 Days of Activism for no Violence against Women and Children campaign, which began on 25 november and ended on 10 December.

the main objective of the event was to march to the Cathcart Police Station to hand over a petition signed by community members to the station commander.

this was done to highlight the community’s dissatisfaction with cases of femicide being overlooked

Western Cape firefighters tackle GBV at the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign

Working on Fire joins the march against gender-based violence

WOF WC commemorates 16 Days of Activism with male firefighters





The Vryheid Team and the Boy Scouts observe a moment of silence on World Aids Day

WOF supports the fight against women and children abuse

and the lack of progress in police investigations.

the station commander promised to respond to the community within seven days.

Working on Fire Limpopo par-ticipants, in conjunction with the Maruleng Municipality, the local SAPS and other stakeholders, launched the 16 Days of Activism for no Violence against Women and Children cam-paign at the Sekororo Base outside tzaneen.

Various speakers spoke in great detail about the impacts of GBV on society, thoroughly airing the topic.

“We are happy to see the com-munity, police and youth combined together in raising awareness on GBV. it is not an easy thing to talk about and i hope after today we will speak out and report all actions of GBV to the police,” said Maruping thobejane, the Sekororo Base Communications Representative.

the Department of Health also brought its services to the people and had stations at the event to conduct voluntary HiV tests.

Limpopo participants tackle gender-based violence

WOF Sekororo firefighters launch the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign with various stakeholders

the WOF Limpopo Blouberg team also joined the 16 Days campaign at their base, where they raised aware-ness among their municipality col-leagues and the community through bright placards bearing messages aimed at educating the people about the campaign.


had changed her approach to work with males this year, to make them aware of the important role they can play in society in the fight against GBV.

the event also saw firefighters getting their health screened by health professionals, who encouraged them

to get medical tests regularly to ensure they are able to get help as soon as they are found to be developing a health condition.


Precious nombuyiselo Klaas (43), the storeperson at WOF Eastern Cape’s Cata Base, is one of many ABEt students who are grabbing this opportunity to better themselves.

“Prior to joining WOF, life was extremely hard because i am a person living with a disability and a mother and i could not afford to support my child and my family,” Klaas says.

“in 2019, i was selected to be part of the participants who joined ABEt and that was a huge opportunity for me,” she says.

Klaas began her ABEt studies in 2019 and will be doing Level 3.

Storeperson thanks WOF for giving her access to ABEtWorking on Fire established the Adult Basic Education and training (ABEt) programme to assist firefighters to matriculate.

Joseph Makwa, type 2 Crew Leader for the Wedela team in Gauteng, is a Working on Fire Hotshot crew member deployed to the Western Cape for the summer fire season.

“We have to save lives and protect the environment. i am dedi-cated and ready,” says an enthusiastic Makwa.

the firefighter is familiar with the strategies and techniques of f ight ing f i res in the Western Cape because he was there in the previous fire season. “it was tough and we were fatigued; however,

Deployed and ready to save lives in Western Cape

those are lessons learned,” says Makwa.

Makwa says he learned to work with the aerial resources in fight-ing fires during his last stint in the province.

“i will not be with my family during the festive season because of my deployment. however, when duty calls, i answer,” he says.

the summer fire season began on 1 December in the Western Cape and parts of the Eastern Cape.

Kabelo Gideon Letebele was born in itsoseng Location in the north West. After completing his matric, he went to Potchefstroom to look for work.

in 2014, Letebele was very excited to get his first job at Jooma’s Building Supplies as a delivery person, until he was involved in an accident that changed his life for good.

Letebele’s hands were injured, leav-ing the left hand’s radius nerve com-pletely dead and the right hand’s bones

WOF gives storeperson a second chance in life

dislocated. “it was very difficult finding a job with both hands injured and the only company that did not discriminate against me was Working on Fire,” Letebele says.

L e t e b e l e wa s re c r u i t e d o n 9 november 2020 as a storeperson for the WOF Highveld team in the north West.

After seeing a clip about Working on Fire on television, Mojalefa thelingoana wanted to be part of the organisation and when he met WOF firefighters in Claremont, Cape town, he enquired about the opportunities.

in 2012, his wish became a real-ity when he joined the Programme as a firefighter at the newlands Base. Prior to joining WOF, he worked as a brick- layer for the WBHO construction com-pany. “though i was earning more with the bricklaying job, my calling was in

Nombuyiselo Klaas says her life changed since she joined the WOF Programme

Kabelo Gideon Letebele shares his story as a person living with a disability

Joseph Makwa is ready to save lives and protect the environment

Mojalefa Thelingoana shares his story of how WOF changed his life

Former builder inspired to join WOF saving lives, which motivated me to pursue the WOF journey,” thelingoana says.

He moved up the ranks, from firefighter to herbicide applicator and was a type 2 Crew Leader by 2015. in 2016, he was selected to join Value Added industry (VAi), as a Pre-Assembly Factory Manager in Garankuwa, Pretoria. VAi manufactures and build light houses (houses assembled from pre-manufactured, fire-resistant materials).

the following year, he was appointed as the trainee Construction Manager for VAi in Mpumalanga, and later promoted to inspector and Quality Controller for VAi.

“WOF has always been there for me and grew my love for firefighting. today, i am a father of three and they motivate me to work harder,” says thelingoana.




Parapara Makgahlela, Gauteng Provincial Communication Officer


thabang Moloi, a firefighter at Working on Fire Gauteng’s Heidelberg Base, is ready to tackle long driving distances after obtaining his code 14 driver’s licence recently.

“WOF helped changed my life for the better in the midst of youth unemploy-ment because i used my monthly stipend to pay for my licence fees,” Moloi says. “it was not easy because i have two children i feed and clothe.”

His next step, he says, is to complete his matric next year. He is currently applying for positions in the transport sector.

Moloi, who says his exit strategy is going well, adds, “the financial manage-ment course offered within the WOF Programme really helped me a lot.”

“if there is one Expanded Public Works Programme that deserves a lifetime award for changing lives, it definitely is Working on Fire. they made me into the person i am today and for that, i will always be grateful,” says Phuti Mashiane, a former WOF firefighter at the Mogalakwena Base in Limpopo.

Prior to joining WOF, Mashiane was one of many unemployed youths staying at home and depending on his family for financial support.

After completing grade 12, he enrolled in a paramedic course in 2009. He also completed structural firefighting training in 2011.

“i tried applying for the structural firefighter vacancies, but without ex-perience in the firefighting industry, my qualification was overlooked,” he says.

in 2011, Mashiane heard WOF was recruiting veld and forest firefighters and he decided to attend the recruit-ment drive. As an active sportsperson, Mashiane sailed through the fitness challenges and was selected to undergo the advanced veld and forest firefighting training in Mpumalanga, which he completed. He was also nominated to attend the chainsaw operator course during his time at WOF.

Mashiane says, “My appreciation goes to WOF and the management i was working under for contributing to my career. Sello Matlhare and Patricia Maakelane were tough on me as a firefighter because they saw potential in me.”

did and i have paid off all my debts while investing the remaining money,” Mosehle says.

Mosehle says the financial man-agement session offered to him and his fellow firefighters at the airport by the Working on Fire Programme was critical to his financial success.

Working on Fire Gauteng’s Mose-hle Mosehle, a firefighter at Wedela Base, says his international de-ployment to Canada last year re-ally helped him break the spine of poverty and financial pressures at home.

“Upon my return, i successfully managed to renovate my home as well as furnish it. i was struggling to obtain a driver’s licence, which i

Canada deployment brought financial relief

Moloi paving his way to exit

Mosehle Mosehle is grateful for the rewards of international deployment

Saving lives and fighting fires is his passion

Refilwe Phala has joined Roodeplaat Nature Reserve as a general worker

Phuti Mashiane continues to save lives

Moving onWorking on Fire Gauteng’s Refilwe Phala has been hired by the Roodeplaat nature Reserve where her team was based.

After seeing positions advertised, Phala applied and the base partner employed her as a general worker.

Her job at the nature reserve will greatly assist her goal of obtaining a human resources diploma from tshwane

tVEt College, as she will be able to complete the required 18 months of on-the-job training.

“i am now employed and optimistic of a better future,” says an excited Phala. “Working on Fire was my first employer and i will never forget it because it gave me hope to stay positive when i had nothing to do.”


Thabang Moloi is happy to have obtained a driver’s licence

Mashiane left the WOF Pro-gramme in 2013 to join the Ekurhuleni Municipality’s Department of Emer-gency Medical Service (DEMS) as a structural firefighter. the former firefighter continues to praise WOF for opening doors that allowed him to chase his dream of saving lives and protecting properties and the environment.




wofire news...cape, eastern cape and gauteng successfully completed 10 weeks of vigorous structural...

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