Various buildings and structures of the Johannesburg Skydiving Club (JSC) were damaged by a fire on August 16.

According to the club’s secretary, Ina Cilliers, the veld fire destroyed the club’s pub and three residential buildings.

“The fire originated outside the club property at our premises’ bottom corner before spreading across the boundary and becoming uncontrollable. Despite the extensive damage to buildings and the loss of decades of skydiving memorabilia, no lives were lost, and everyone at the club is safe,” says Ina. She added that the fire damage amounts to approximately R1.1m.

According to Carletonville’s Chief Fire Officer, Bongani Momoza, they were called to the fire at 14:50 and immediately rushed to the scene. By the time they arrived, the lapa had already burned to the ground.

“The loss of the buildings is significant, but particularly painful is the destruction of memorabilia accumulated over decades of the club’s history. However, club members were already making plans for the recovery while the remains of the fire were still smouldering on Sunday afternoon,” says Ina.

JSC chairperson Jurie Cilliers said the response demonstrated that the real strength of the club had survived the fire.

“Buildings can be rebuilt. What makes JSC extraordinary is its people and more than 45 years of history. The response from the wider skydiving community has reminded us just how far that community extends. We have lost part of our physical home, but we have certainly not lost JSC.”

Importantly, the fire will not derail two major community events planned for September: a Spring Jol and Market Day on September 5 and Die Anner Lewe by Spookstorie Produksies on September 12.

The Spring Jol will bring aviation, skydiving and the wider community together at the club, while Spookstories will offer an evening of storytelling and entertainment at Die Hangar.

Rather than cancelling either event, JSC intends to use them as a statement that the club remains operational, resilient and very much part of the Carletonville community.

Eugene Potgieter, JSC Operations Manager, said the message after Sunday’s fire was simple:
“We are still here. The aircraft will fly, people will jump, and our gates will be open.”