Fighting fires in Canada
A local firefighter left her mark in Canada, where she worked on forest fires.
For about a month and a half, a local firefighter helped to fight forest fires – in Canada.
Malekgoa Lewtaba was chosen as one of 48 South African firefighters who are part of the Working on Fire programme, to help extinguish forest fires in Canada. Working on Fire (Wof) is a government-funded, job-creation programme focusing on Integrated Fire Management in South Africa.
During Canada’s 2015 fire season, as of 17 August, over 3 million hectares of forest burnt down. That is a larger area than the island of Sicily, Italy.
Malekgoa, the 27-year-old crew leader at Wadela Fire Station in Carletonville who qualified for Wof when she worked at the Krugersdorp Fire Station, lend her strength and skill to Canadian fire stations to help them battle the fire season.
“I became a firefighter in 2012,” Malekgoa recalled.
“I trained very hard to become fit and strong. The training paid off when I got accepted into Wof.”
Malekgoa believes she left her mark in Canada. Everyday, she said, you learn something new.
“In Canada, the equipment is a bit more technically advanced. So I had to learn about them very quickly.”
The young firefighter told the News about the friendly people, strange beliefs and intensive training in Canada that makes her want to go back. She is not ye done seeing the world.
“Seeing Canada is definitely one of the best things that has happened to me as a firefighter. But being able to help people and save their lives, that is the most rewarding.”
Growing up in an informal settlement in Magaliesburg, Malekgoa’s dreams were, and still are, as big as the world.
But nothing came easy. Working in Canada brought about physical challenges and mental obstacles.
“Being a woman does mean that I might not be as strong as my male counterparts, by I do still get the job done.”
Being a woman and a firefighter is still stigmatised, thus Malekgoa seldom find herself putting herself out there in order to be treated equally.
“I can do anything a man can do, even if it takes a bit longer. I’ll get it done.”
Also read:
• Krugersdorp’s brave fire workers
• Local fire fighters prepare for fire season
• Brandweer bevorder sport onder personeel
