After 17 years of working in the emergency services and still very passionate about her job, Kgomotso Matabane-Maqolo is one of the few women working as a firefighter.
Born and bred in Soweto, Matabane-Maqolo wanted to study medicine but could not afford the fees. She found herself working as a paramedic and later added on the title of firefighter. Stationed at the Randburg Fire Station, Matabane-Maqolo is one of few who are qualified to give life support drugs at an accident or fire scene.
She also has qualifications in swift water rescue, and is one of two black women in Gauteng to have this. Furthermore, she is also certified to drive the fire engine and is the only woman at the station to do so.
She is qualified to declare and certify the deceased and frequently gets called out to do so. The mother of three said she finds it easy to do her job as it is always interesting and never the same. “My job is unlike other jobs, for me it is a calling and it’s not for everyone as we work long hours,” she said.
She added that even though she is in an industry dominated by men, she found that most men give her full respect while she is on the job. “You find that what I can do, some of the men I work with can’t. I am not afraid of challenges and I like doing unique things,” she said.
Matabane-Maqolo said she regularly goes to gym and takes part in other sports such as swimming, golf and riding her bicycle to keep fit and healthy. She added that saving lives is what makes her keep coming back to work.
“Seeing families that have lost hope and giving people that hope is what makes me happy,” she said. She encouraged other women who were contemplating becoming firefighters to do so, as more women were needed within her industry.
