Firefighters trained for management posts

MBOMBELA – The operational ground manager and the former fire fighter, Mr Bongani Nhlabathi (32) said he would not have had an opportunity of becoming a manager if it was not for Working on Fire (Wof). Nhlabathi, who holds a matric and internal certificate from WoF, is one of the community members who benefited from the objectives of the organisation which are creation of job opportunities, alleviating poverty and control unwanted veld and forestry fires.

According to Nhlabathi, the success that he gets from WoF will persuade and encourage the uneducated and unemployed youth to join WoF. “Being a fire fighter is a physical job that needs more exercise, but all I wanted was to receive a salary to support my family. When time went on, I developed the passion of fighting fire,” he said.

He explained that when he joined the company in 2004, he took the opportunity as a job where he could develop his career.

“I realised that the company also develops fire fighters’ skills then I pulled up my socks and that led me to my promotion”, he said.

He encourages youth to take opportunities that come with government programmes.

“Although fire fighting is difficult, but the youth must understand that before people become managers, they must start somewhere, building their future and gain skills from well informed people,” he said.

Mr Tshepo Masela (25) from KwaMhlanga, a fire fighter, said before he joined WoF, he was struggling financially.

“Now I am able to put food on the table for my family and I want to gain skills from WoF,” he said.

Mr Martin Boltin, the general manager for WoF in Mpumalanga said the organisation is willing to recruit more fire fighters from the community to create job opportunities and alleviate poverty.

“Giving relevant skills to the fire fighters is one of the main aims of the organisation,” he concluded.