August 2011 Wofire News

8/4/2019 August 2011 Wofire News

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/august-2011-wofire-news 1/16

AUGUST 2011 WOFIRE NEWS

“wathint' abafazi wathint' imbokodo”

strike the woman strike the rock

AUGUST 2011

Working on Fire’s all women structural fire fighting team to assist Eden Fire Department

A team of women structural fire fighters, trained by the Working on Fire Programme, have started a three year

programme with the Eden Fire Department following their completion of an intensive Fire Fighter 1 and Hazmatcourse.

“Working on Fire and the Eden Fire Department have a very good working relationship, so it is great to see them

partnering in this way” said Christalene De Kella, WoF‟s Media & Community Liaison Officer in the Southern Cape.

The team will be based at the fire station in George and have wasted no time in getting settled into their shifts. Ontheir second day, the team was already doing hose drills with the Fire Chief, Annelize Lamprecht, and Deputy Chief,

Deon van Wyk.

“The existing fire fighters are really looking forward to working with the women from WoF and we are very grateful

for the support” said Lamprecht.

They were also visited by Clive Africa, Eden‟s Director of Community Services, who said that it was an honour to have

10 women structural fire fighters assisting them and he promised his full support in their future growth. “They will

learn and achieve a lot during the three years that they will be based with Eden,” he said.

Working on Fire (WoF) is a government-funded, multi-partner organization managed by the FFA Group of Companies,

that focuses upon Integrated Fire Management including veld and forest fire fighting. It employs 3 721 veld andforest fire fighters from disadvantaged rural communities who are trained as front line veld and forest fire fighters

to stop the scourge of wildfire which costs the South African economy billions of rands in lost product and

productivity every year.

Working on Fire has provided fundingfor promising wildland fire fighters to

attend training in order to qualify asstructural fire fighters. The aim is to

raise the qualification levels of

previously unskilled people to increasetheir likelihood of securing permanentemployment. The more qualified WoF

wildland fire fighters become, thegreater the opportunity of recruitment

by fire brigades in rural areas.

BY: Christalene De Kella

Media and Community Liaison Officer

Southern Cape From left to right: Emile Conrad, Sakkie Greyling, Amelia Davids, A

Mabutwana, Annelize Lamprecht, D L Springfield, Deon van Wyk, G

Wewers, R C Felix, N A Daniels, M Dithobane, Metwhin Human, N Kati, EPhilander, Francios, J Mathys, Sherwin De kella.




“Women are like tea bags. They don't know how strongthey are until they get into hot water.”

E. Roosevelt

Why we celebrate National Women's Day

This day commemorates the 9th of August 1956 when women participated in a national march to petition against pass

laws (legislation that required African persons to carry a document on them to „prove‟ that they were allowed to

enter a „white area‟).

On that day in 1956, 20 000 women staged a march on the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest against the

proposed amendments to the Urban Areas Act (commonly known as the pass laws) of 1950. They left bundles of

petitions containing more than 100 000 signatures at prime minister J.G. Strijdom's office doors. Outside theystood silently for 30 minutes, many with their children on their backs. The women sang a protest song that wascomposed in honour of the occasion: Wathint'Abafazi Wathint'imbokodo! (Now you have touched the women, you

have struck a rock.). In the 54 years since, the phrase (or its latest incarnation: "you strike a woman, you strike a

rock") has come to represent women's courage and strength in South Africa. The march was led by Lilian Ngoyi,

Helen Joseph, Albertina Sisulu and Sophia Williams-De Bruyn.

Information courtesy of Wikipedia and www.sahistory.org.za

MOTHER HOOD AS IT IS A WOMAN MONTH

I was nothing at that time but you were something, nine

months you took care of me while I couldn‟t do it myself.

Mama you didn‟t abort me until you gave birth, from

there again you raise me and you taught me to speak and

walk. Even if I was failing you were always there helping

me, to respect, I took that responsibility you showed me.

Where ever I am they are proud of me and this means

you didn‟t raise me for you only but for the nation, so

mother thank you so much. I wish others were raised by

you as well.

THANKS MAMA.BY: Sanele S’biya, Hluhluwe Hungry Lion Hotshot

WOMENS DAY

As we WOF members we have to celebrate womens

month because without women we can‟t survive, with-out women there‟s no human being. (You touch women

you strike the rock) Happy womens months.

BY: V.G. Mbatha, Qhudeni Team

I LOVE YOU MOM

In this month I want to thank you mom for showing me

a good way in life. I love you and I will always love you ,

you are so special to me. I love you!!!.BY: MR M.C. Mchunu, Qhudeni Base

WOMEN FIRE FIGHTERS

We are celebrating women month, as women fire fighters let us embrace what God had given us. Being a women is a

gift and we must be grateful to be what we are, because this is what we have. So let us find a way to upgrade whatwe have and you all know that we can go far as long as we have a vision, goals and dreams to fulfil. As women we can

shape our lives the way we want. Nothing can stop us from fulfilling our dreams. Other people have tried to be wherewe are but they failed. As women let us help those who can‟t help themselves let us make a change into people‟s life,

let us save money for good purposes I know some of you, you are bread winners at home, so let us fight againstpoverty by using our talents. You know what you are good at so let us have our own things, let us start something new

that we can benefit from as women.Makhosi Dladla

MCLO KZN Zululand

HAPPY WOMENS MONTH

August is Women‟s Month, let us take this time to respect all women of South Africa. We love you all not only for

this month but you are very important - you are playing a big role in our lives as men.

BY: Mfundo Mchunu, Qhudeni Team




I HAVE A DREAM

It is important to have a dream in order to improve your life.

My dream is to be a beautiful wife, to have a home and children. My dream car is Mazda 3, so guys to know your

dreams can help you achieve your dreams. I am proud about my dreams because I have a drivers licence and this

means the car is coming soon and I also thank WoF for giving us this greatest job, now I‟m earning money month

end and this means I can achieve my dreams soon.

Thanks Working On Fire

BY: Simphiwe Ngobes, Hluhluwe (Hungry Lion Hotshot)

NEVER GIVE UP, BE PATIENT

I know you have tried so many things, but still you failed. Be patient, don‟t rush things take things step by step. Try to learn from your mistakes, because in life we all make mistakes and we learn from them. Don‟t blame others

for your mistakes but yourself. Bring yourself closer to winners, find the way forward from them, I know they

would never let you down or judge you.I know it is not easy to achieve your goals but you were born to be a winner not a looser. Your day will come. It is

not over until God says it over, you can do this.

BY: T.B Hlabiso, Kwa-Mbonambi Hotshot

NEVER SAY NEVER

Never lose hope in life. You must have a vision and a dream in your life, follow your dreams, be what you want to be.

You must have faith in your life. Never say I can‟t do it. You must say I can do it. Never say it‟s over with your life

until God says so, never give up in life.BY: Jabulile Zungu, Eshowe

LIFE JOURNEY

We all want good things in life, but good things do not come easily.

It all starts with one step at a time. It takes faith and courage to achieve your goals in life and perseverance isthe main key to success.

You do fall along the way, you lose hope and trust, sometimes you can even wish to die or you were not born at all.But by dedicating yourself and having a strong mind can keep you going no matter how long it might take to achieve

your dream, but it is possible and it begins with one step. The most important step is your life.

BY: Zipho Dludla- Eshowe Team

OUR LIFE IN A BOOK

We are the youth of Dumbe, employed by WoF as fire fighters in the poverty alleviation programme. Now we can

put food on the table for us and our mothers. Yes things have changed since we started working here, no morehunger and anger we were mad because we didn‟t know how can we express ourselves. Things were really bad but

WoF came to our rescue, with skills that will lead us to success. Thanks to WoF, now we know what will happen next

in our lives, because of Working On Fire. Life is simple and fair. We will stay faithful to WoF and not change

direction like air. We have been given a right and privilege to express ourselves. The skills that we got fromWorking On Fire are on fire but don‟t need fire fighters because they are hunger alleviators. YES, WORKING ON

FIRE CARES!

BY: S.M. Nxumalo, Paulpietersburg

YOU ARE LIFTED SO THAT YOU CAN LIFT OTHERS

Are you contributing positively to the advancement of the lives of those around you?

This is the question you must ask yourself and truthfully answer by yourself. You must make up your mind to live a

meaningful life, one that will make the world move forward touching the lives of others in a positive way. If youbless people, you will always be lifted; this is because you‟re lifted as you lift others. Your promotion is in you, promoting others. Your success would be discovered when you make others successful.

You will never discover the treasure God has kept in you until you reach out to help someone else becomesomething, that‟s where the real joy is.

If you are an employer, help those in your company to realise their dreams. God will make it happen for you, when you make things happen for others!

BY: S.C. Mbuyazi, Mbonambi Hotshot




GAUTENG

BEING PART OF THE COMMUNITY IS A GOOD THING

On the 18TH of July 2011, Nelson Mandela‟s birthday, a community event was held in Potchefstroom, North

West Province. Working on Fire was invited to do fire awareness, and the Vredefort Dome team, as well as one

member of the Rust De Winter team educated the community with talks, songs and drills. In the afternoon, we

went to pick up litter, clear alien vegetation from the street edges and fix the paths around the schools of

Potchefstroom.

The Working on Fire team proved that they can work very hard. They managed to do the job within threehours by keeping up good morale, discipline and team work. It was not an easy task because it was a cold day

and we had to walk three kilometres cleaning those routes, but it was all worth it.

Thank you to Phinias Mphela from Rust De Winter for assisting me.

Lerato Mokwena

Trainee Media & Community Liaison Officer (Gauteng & North West)

MPUMALANGA

On Friday the 21st of July, Morning Live (SABC 2) paid a visit to the Library Awareness Day in White River

where the WoF team was busy doing a fire awareness demonstration. Close to 300 children attended the

awareness from various schools in the Lowveld region. The aim for this awareness was to make sure that we keepon reminding our children and communities about the dangers of fire. Below are some photos of the event.

Ali Milanzi

Media & Community Liaison Officer (Mpumalanga)




School Visit at WoF Head Office

Chirpy Baba en Kleuter Sentrum, se 5 jarige klas het die

wonderlike geleentheid gehad om „Working on Fire‟ te gaan

besoek - hulle was hartlik ontvang en lekker bederf. Die

hoogtepunt van die dag was natuurlik die helikopter vlug! Die

kinders het dit vreeslik geniet en kon nie uitgepraat raak

oor hierdie wonderlike ervaring. Chirpy Baba en Kleuter

Sentrum wil graag die volgende persone bedank, wie die

spesiale dag moontlik gemaak het: Johan Heine, Mike Assad,

Charel Louw asook Madelein Jordaan.

Thank you,

Chirpy Baba en Kleuter Sentrum

EASTERN CAPE

The Eastern Cape fire season has arrived and we have already seen an increase in the number of fires in the

region. Most of these fires are started by people, and affect people – be it community members, farmers orforesters, and it is therefore important to raise more awareness around fire.

The WoF Stutterheim team, together with the WoF Eastern Cape MCLO, have been busy doing fire awareness

talks to the surrounding farmers and community members, educating them about fire dangers, fire causes and

fire prevention measures. The aim of doing fire awareness is to reduce the number of fires in the region. TheMCLO gave a presentation to community members, while the fire fighters sang fire songs, and gave somepractical demonstrations on the tools used to fight fires. The awareness was finished off by the „WoF daily

bread‟ - a drill which symbolises team discipline, neatness and team work and is always a highlight of the day.

We hope that the communities reached are now better informed on how to prevent fires and what to do if fires

occur.

Buyie Ngqawani

Media & Community Liaison Officer (Eastern Cape)




SAFETY IN A STORM

Good people, let us take care in lightning because it can be so dangerous. Lightning goes together with a

thunderstorm. People must know that the sound of the thunderstorm is not dangerous, but it is only the flashlightning that is the dangerous part of a storm and can be a killer.

Things to do when we see lightning:We must stay in 1 room, cover everything that shines, move away from power lines, move away from tall trees, don‟t

use or be near water and don‟t move up and down.

SAFETY IS IMPORTANT EVERYWHERE YOU GO.BY: Thulisile Mthethwa (SE REP)

Hluhluwe (Hungry Lion Hotshot)

KEY MESSAGE TO FIRE FIGHTERS

The only way for someone to know his or her HIV status is to go for testing. Guys its good to know your status so

that you can live the life that you want to live. I know it‟s hard to do a blood test but firefighters, let us be brave.

Let us look after ourselves and believe.

BY: Nomkhosi Mntambo, Giant’s Castle

LOVING YOUR BODY

Loving your body is the key to self confidence. Keep it in good shape, you have only one body, so you must take

good care of it and it‟s only you who can decide what is happening in your body. Get to know your body – you can

explore your sexuality without putting yourself at risk. By this I say guys and gals in the programme HIV is alive socondomise in other to be safe.BY: Mxolisi F. Zuma, Eshowe Team (Ingonyama Hotshot)

HIV AND AIDS

HIV and AIDS is no longer a killer but it‟s just a disease like other diseases. You don‟t have to be scared of what

people says about you and your status, go and get ARV‟S to save your life. If you are positive don‟t think

committing suicide is a solution.

People who are making jokes about other people‟s status; they just don‟t know what they are doing. Being positive

doesn‟t mean you are not a human anymore but, it means “thatha izihlangu zakho uqonde empini” one life will never

be replaced by another “Akekho omunye ofana nawe” so we must take care of our life. Last month we were all celebrating Madiba‟s birthday. He is our role model he fought for the nation to be free and

he was arrested for 27 years and he did overcome all that, tell me what can stop you to fight for your life only.I repeat, HIV is not a killer but your carelessness is.

BY: Nokubonga Dlamini. Eshowe Team

DID YOU KNOW?

Lightning is a bright flash of electricity produced by a thunderstorm.

What causes lightning?

Lightning is an electric current. Within a thundercloud way up in the sky, many small bits of ice(frozen raindrops) bump into each other as they move around in the air. All of those collisions

create an electric charge. After a while, the whole cloud fills up with electrical charges. The

positive charges or protons form at the top of the cloud and the negative charges or electrons

form at the bottom of the cloud. Since opposites attract, that causes a positive charge to build up

on the ground beneath the cloud. The grounds electrical charge concentrates around anything that

sticks up, such as mountains, people, or single trees. The charge coming up from these points

eventually connects with a charge reaching down from the clouds and - zap - lightning strikes!

Information from www.weatherwizkids.com




BE AWARE STAY ALIVE

Ladies and gentlemen lets get tested for TB, because it is a serious killer. But it can be cured, even if you are HIV

positive. The only thing to do with TB, is to follow the treatment intructions correctly and you must finish yourtreatment even if you feel better.

BY: Z.C. Ngema, Qhudeni Team

WoF Beneficiary Risk Cover InsuranceAny occupation may present risks to health and safety, and fire fighting in particular, poses an in-

creased risk because of the potentially dangerous work environment. While WoF makes every effort

to minimise these risks and educate beneficiaries on the importance of following safe operating pro-

cedures, it is also important that insurance cover is in place in case of an accident. Working on Fire

therefore carries insurance, called risk cover, on behalf of WoF beneficiaries, both administrative

and fire fighters.

Risk cover offers insurance against potential unexpected losses that may be suffered by beneficiar-

ies while on duty for WoF. The risks that are covered include injuries resulting in permanent or tem-

porary disability, and in the worst case, death caused by on-duty activities. Disability can be tempo-rary or permanent, when one is unable to follow their usual occupation, or a substantial part of the

usual occupation.

Medical expenses related to the above accidents are also covered to a certain degree. A maximum of

R5000 will be paid to cover the funeral and associated expenses in the case of a beneficiary suffer-

ing accidental death.

Some of the exclusions to insurance pay-out include:

Death and disability caused by

suicide, or intentional self-injury (unless in an attempt to save human life)

an existing medical condition in command of a vehicle and having an alcohol blood count higher than the legal limit a veneral disease, AIDS, HIV, or Aids Related Complex (ARC)

A poem by William Shakespeare

The Passionate Pilgrim, XII

CRABBED age and youth cannot live together:

Youth is full of pleasure, age is full of care;

Youth like summer morn, age like winter weather; Youth like summer brave, age like winter bare.

Youth is full of sport, age‟s breath is short;

Youth is nimble, age is lame;

Youth is hot and bold, age is weak and cold;

Youth is wild, and age is tame.

Age, I do abhor thee, youth, I do adore thee;

O! my love, my love is young:

Age, I do defy thee: O! sweet shepherd, hie thee,

For methinks thou stay‟st too long .

SENT IN BY: Thingazina Mgqibelo, Walker Bay Team




WOF MY ROCK… WOF MY FUTURE! You say you are a poverty relief programme. When I first wore my yellow t-shirt, I looked at it and said to

myself this yellow means a lot to me. It portrayed a bright future for me. When I looked at the image in the

front, I saw open hands and a flame in the middle; it portrayed an image that says I am welcome with both hands

filled with warmth and tenderness.

WoF, I saw you as a corner stone, a step forward to my future. You gave me a mission and discipline, a heart to

love my fellow colleagues and my sisters and brothers, an opportunity to showcase my abilities and talents and bea role model to those who look up to me.

To our Richmond team, lets keep it up, lets carry those knapsacks with pride, beat fire aggressively but alsoprovide safety first.

BY: Ntokozo Mbeje, AmaHawks Hotshot

WORDS OF THANK TO MY WOF

I highly appreciate the company for giving me such opportunity of being a well trained fire fighter, with no

doubt WOF is my starting point and my key to open the doors to my success, for years being unemployed.Finally I found the job WOF has created for us.I m also glad and proud of the community I‟m living in, as it is in

rural areas without development before, for not having such a team. Years ago my community was destroyed byfire, nature was damaged, the houses were burned down to ashes and people died, surely my community is safe

now.

I also thank the company for showing us the way and for teaching us that life is important more than anything.

There‟s even sense of humour within the company by not discriminating disable people. I also thank the

company for giving us such brilliant and genius leaders to train us to be physically fit for the work we do.

I used to be sick every now and then; due to training I‟m healthy now. It‟s like a dream come true, that is why

my WOF is so special to me.WOF is poverty alleviation programme indeed as I‟m the orphan my poverty hasbeen alleviated with no obstacles, “Long live WOF Long live.”

BY: Bongiwe Ngubane, Ingogo (Amajuba Hotshot Team)

OUR NEW ADVOCACY OFFICES

I would like to take this opportunityfrom both Working on Fire

departments (FFA section twentyone and Advocacy), to report back on

our latest office news.

We have been working together, butnow we are divided into two.

Both offices were at Kirstenboschbefore, but now things have changed.

The Advocacy Department is now

based at Newlands, next to the fireteam. The FFA section twenty one is

still base at Kirstenbosch, which is just down the road.

What I want to say is that to those who left behind we will always miss you. We were working together in a

warm office without problems. We must accept that when the family becomes bigger and bigger we have todivide from each other so that we can have the enough space to work.

We are not far from each other. We will meet each other sometimes.

We have to know that always we will cry together and we will also laugh together as we always did.

BY: Tembela Mtshotshisa

Distribution officer/ Advocacy Department




GUYS CRIME IS NOT A SOLUTION

To be jobless is not a crime

Crime is not a solution in lifeLife should be respected

Respect is from home or cultureCulture is everyone value

Value is from GodGod knows your needs. He will give you what you ask for; if you ask for bread he cannot give you a stone.

He will open a hundred doors for you if you have discipline and respect. Guys follow your dreams.Don‟t kill me today and think you will see me tomorrow. Crime is not a solution of life.

BY: Remmy Bonga, Hluhluwe (Hungry lion Hotshots Team)

THANK YOU!!

Firstly, I would like to express my gratitude to the

Training Academy Department. We learned lot ofthings. I am sure that if we didn‟t go there last

year, we wouldn‟t manage this year.

BY: N.S Mtolo, Dragons Hotshot

EXPERIENCE

Thanks WoF for giving me a lot of experience. I know

how to fight a fire, how to burn a fire line. Last fire

season I was working very hard because of a high fuel

load. Now I am working together with communities and

skills I gained from WoF. WoF is now growing up.

By: Mjongeni, Eshowe TeamWOF HAS KEPT ME GOING

I am proud to be employed by WoF because this job

has opened my eyes to so many things that I was

not aware of. I am not earning much, but I am proud

to say through WoF I can now take care of my son

and my mom. I am playing a big role as part of their

lives like father like son.WoF is playing a big role -grow up WoF and continue

WoF.BY: K.C Luthuli, Eshowe (Ingonyama Hotshot)

LIVE FOR YOUR DREAM

Your faith will lift you up to the sky. If you are not faithful to your dreams, then you are not worth that dream.

One of the most profound life lessons is that we need to be faithful to our vision and value our purpose in life.If you lose hope, somehow you lose the vitality that keeps life moving. You lose that courage to be, that quality

that helps you go on in spite of it all.So today I still have a dream. Dreams symbolise the seeds we carry in our hearts from birth. No matter how rich

or poor we are where we were born, we all have dreams.

I am here for a purpose and that purpose is to grow into a mountain, not shrink to a

grain of sand. BY: S.C Mbuyazi, Mbonambi Hotshot

TO ALL THE CREW LEADERS

Guys we have committed ourselves at the crew

leaders course that we will lead by example and

develop what we have obtained to our subordinates.

Let us measure our discipline equal and make

ourselves available when the team needs us. As we

are working on behalf of our managers let us make

them proud of the work we are doing. We are the

capacitated leaders that a company can lay trust in

them.

In conclusion, let us be proud and happy that we have

also joined a queue of being future managers.BY: M. Mashinini (Bethlehem Crew leader type 2)

RENOVATIONS AT OUR NEW STORE

Since November our estate Manager (Carol van de

Merwe) and Base manager (Jonathan Britton) announced

that we got a new store room. The team is very grateful

for our own space. We are expecting our own lecture

space, toilets with showers, lockers and our own parade

ground and we also moved our garden from the

community to our own space (next to the store). Our

store will also have its own drive thru. We just want to

thank them and we really appreciate everything they do

for us. “THANK YOU” BY: Burning Hotshots: Farleigh Base

GOOD LUCK AMELIA

Burning Hotshots are very proud of Amelia Davids. She is

one of a few female fire fighters that went on the

structural fire fighting course. She is two years in the

Working on Fire programme and she deserves every

opportunity she gets and will achieve. Every day we pray

for her for strength mentally and physically to make it

through the tough course. The team believes in her.BY: Burning Hotshots: Farleigh Base




KEEP MOVING

If you can‟t run, walk, or crawl.

But whatever you do, keep moving.Life is full of ups and downs

Accept everything that is happening in life

No matter how good or bad it is.

Do not sit back and expect a miracle to happen,

Identify the obstacle that hinder you, when trying to fulfill yourdreams

Work out some ways to overcome the challenges that we are facing inour life.

Reach the moon always because if you ever try to step back,

You will never achieve what wish to achieve.So do not step back in life because

God is always there with a come back

Harrismith Hotshots

Dullstroom WI Team

having fun in the snow!




LIFE SKILLS FOR SUCCES AND ACHIEVING

Everyone wants to be happy and successful, however

the terms “SUCCESS” and “HAPPINESS” are different

for each person.

For instance to person A, success might mean having amansion and happiness might mean being married. To

person B, success might mean being a great

entrepreneur and might mean travelling the world.If person B gets a mansion and a proposal of marriagehe/she may not be happy and believe that he/she is not

successful because this is not what that person wants.It is very important in order to achieve happiness and

success to find out EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT andthen PLAN to achieve those goals, so that you can feel

succeful and happy.S.M. Mhlongo (Ingonyama Hot shot)

HAVE A DIGNITY

We must learn everything and get to move on with life,

you will never be lost if you do that. Dignity can make

you, yourself. When you have dignity, people will give

you respect and that will mean you have a discipline. But

respect yourself first also. If you are looking for dig-

nity, watch your tongue when you speak.I promise you none can take you for granted like a pa-

per. Thanks fire soldiers.BY: E.C Luthuli Eshowe Team (Ingonyama Hotshot-

chainsaw operator)

AM TALKING ABOUT LOVE

Love is something you get from other people

Love is something you can get from a person

Love is a right thing

Love is happiness

Love is a need

Love comes from the heart

Love is created between His/her

In this paragraph we must share WOF members by

loving each other and by caring for each other in this

family.

BY: Mjongeni (Eshowe- Ingonyama Hotshot)

BE PROUD OF YOURSELF

You must believe yourself and prepare for yourself and

be proud of being you. Nothing is impossible, nothing

succeed like success.Don‟t be afraid about your future. Don‟t be afraid of

your own thoughts.

If you tell yourself you want to pass you will pass.

If you tell yourself you will fail then you will fail

Think good and good things will follow.

You must respect your own decisions

BY: Khombisile Renny Zikhali -Type 2 C/L (HluhluweTeam)

Humanity

If you have humanity, you always help those who cannothelp themselves.Human beings do not hurt other humanbeings. The real human gives love and tendercare as

well. Humans give respect, humans do good things andlead by example. Humans do not hold grudges, humans

do not revenge.We need each other in life and to have a good humanity

among each other lets give love, respect and help eachother. Life is all about good humanity.

Written by: Phumlani Menzi Ngema and Veronica

Zandile Dlamini-Springbokhotshot (Qhudeni)

HOW CAN YOU OVERCOME YOUR PAST

MISTAKES

Accept that you can‟t change who you are, what happen

and what you did. Ask for forgiveness from God or to

those you wronged. Forgive yourself.

Change your ways, behaviour and your attitude.

Try your best to do good things every day by helping or

supporting those around you.

This will boost your spirit.

BY: S.M. Mhlongo, Eshowe Team

TOGETHER WE CAN DO MORE

If we are unified, we can save our environment by pro-

viding safety to our beautiful lands, stop unnecessaryfires and cutting down of useful plants because these

plants are very important to our ecosystem. Let us allfight against killing of our animals.

BY: Nqobile, Eshowe Team

TEAM WORK

Team work is all about working together to achieve

common goals,

It‟s all about boosting the team spirit and morale

Use the „Save me and I‟ll save you‟ slogan, because we

from one mother who is working on Fire

Fire is terrifying like a nightmare,Without team work we won‟t be able to deal with it.

Lack of cohesion causes demoralization,Lack of team spirit results in poor performance,

Save me and I will save you so that we can both make it.BY: Sipheni Ndaba, Cathedral Peak

My dear Veliswa Nzima,

I remember my first day at work

All things were new, I met different people

I remember my first day wearing my new uniform

I looked like a soldier.Yes I am a fire soldier

My job gave a lot of things like discipline, physicalfitness and motivation

I love my job as I love myselfMy job is like a mother and father to me.

BY: V. Nzima

Walker Bay




TIMES IN OUR LIVES

Take some time to think

It is the source of lifeTake time to plan

It is the secret of successTake time to love and to be loved

God give advantage

Take time to be friendlyIt is the road of happinessTake time to laugh

It is the music of soulTake time to give

The time is too short to be selfishTake time to work

It is the mother of successThere‟s a time for birth, death,

Time for planting, Time for pulling upTime for sorrow, Time for joy

Time for silence, Time for talk

Time for love, Time for hateThere‟s a time for war, time for peace. By: S’lindile Mbeje

Qhudeni Team-Type 2 C/L

ALONE IN THE DARKNESS

I only see myself,

I only hear myself

I only feel myself

But as I walked around and turned, I realized I was alone in the

darkness.

Nobody was around me, and I realized I was alone.

I walked but there was no direction,

I listened but there was no sound or voices to hear me,

No foot steps in the ground to reach me but it was just me and

myself, I was alone in the darkness.

I cried but as I cried nobody felt my pain,

I was really alone in the darkness,

In a place where there is no family,

A place with no friends,

A place with no neighbors,

A sky with no stars,A sky with no moonlight.

I was all alone in the darkness,BY: Philile Mbongwa, Richmond team

New recruits

Hello WoF teams!! How was your leave? I think you all enjoyed your

time at home. I would like to tell you about our new recruits at ourbase.

In May we recruited 14 new fire fighters – eight ladies and six boys,

they are very excited to be part of the program and they are looking

forward to being at the fire line. They are committed to their jobs.These guys are fit and fresh, so I want to say to other teamsWATCH OUT for the space, here comes Fisantekraal.

At training camp, I don‟t think there will be a team to beat us

because when we‟re together the new recruits and us we build a

strong team. And I would like to say to them, guys keep up the good

work. Don‟t lose what you have because a team with spirit is a good

team.

BY: B.C. Ngamlana (aka Masinga)

Fisantekraal base (Ikwezi Hotshots)

RESPECT YOUR JOB

My heart bleeds when I see our brothers and sister neglecting their

jobs. People tend to forget what motivated them to apply for a job inthe first place, and when they are employed everything seems to be

forgotten.

It seems when they enter the work environment, they don‟t care

about their work anymore. They tend to start neglecting their duties

and concentrate on negative things, such as office gossip.

People should start changing their attitudes towards life. Manypeople don‟t have jobs, so I would like to encourage everyone who has

a job. Irrespective of weather the job is permanent, part time, on

contract bases or casual work, Please hold on to that job and respectwhat you have.

BY: M. Mashinini, Bethlehem type two Crew leader

FIRE SEASON

Fire season was expected to be critical

this year due to heavy rains. In our areafuel has grown up to 2.7 meters long, but

we have managed just fine as we didn‟tget many call outs. The snow helped us a

lot. We didn‟t have any runaway fires. BY: S.Ndaba, Cathedral Peak

MY FRIEND

Lift me up my friend

You are my strengthYou are my hope

No one else can rescue me

My friend lift me up

Don‟t let me fall Don‟t ignore me

Hear my cry my friend

Don‟t let my enemies laugh

Disappoint them and save me

My friend you are my strength

I will never forget you

No one can stand against you

I will never stop praising you

You are my rock

My rock thanks your love

But love you knowLove can‟t shape and size up

Love don‟t a maximum

Keep in you mind, don‟t rush

BY: Mazulu L.G. Gileni

Tamie aka Jeska, Walker Bay




GOODBYE!!

It was really a pleasure working with you Thuli from last till to date, as you are aware that I will no longer be doingCommunity Development but Estate Management for Dargle and Cedara, I will miss and cherish our good working

relationship and I know that the new person will enjoy working with you as I did.

The hard work gone towards FireWise projects did not go unnoticed, since most of my communities for example

Qumeni (Makhuzeni) joined fire wise under your leadership a vast improvement in terms of fires compared to last year

has been seen, and I know you contributed to the change that we see in our communities as you contributed highly

trainings on making them fire wise and respect the power of fire.

I will not forget also your effort in attending forestry meetings, we have seen you amongst us, with us and mostly

contributing towards developing the communities and I am sure they are also proud of you.

I can sincerely say that I will miss the partnership we had. Thank you,

Bongiwe Chonco

Community Forester – Merensky

NORTHERN CAPE FIRE FIGHTERS READY AND GEARED UP

It all started in April 2011 when everybody was asking him or

herself whether they are going backwards or forward, not

knowing what the future holds for them.

It is the day we were recruited by WoF, since that day there

was no turning back. We learned more than we had expectedand never thought existed. At first we were just here to

perform our duties of being a fire fighter but we were verywrong, we learned about being ourselves and how to adjust with

the surroundings especially all in the name of fires.

We are a group of 25 young males and females fighting

dangerous veld fires for the past four months, at first we

panicked as we were not sure if we are doing a good job but we

really do excel. I just have to say Halala JKD Hotshots,Lets

keep up the good work.

We must know that there is nothing more important than theimage you have of yourself. Self confidence comes from having

faith in yourself and the future, believing in yourself, what you

can do and who you can become.

Confidence makes you humble enough to learn about what

appears to be arrogant. We knew nothing about fire and wecame from nowhere but knowing that we all have purpose in life.

Lastly we would like to thank MR MOSES JAFTA our crew

leader by taking our hats off and bowing down to him, and thus

saying a big thank you. He has taught us many things about life

and how we should be. Today we are who we are because of him,

WELL DONE SIR JAFTA, WELL DONE> you have done a

tremendous job and we are proud of you.

BY: Nthabiseng Perseverance September

Jan Kemp Dorp Hotshots -NC, Tshabalala “Basta” Themba

WALKER BAY PRAYER

Lord protect this base and all who enter from

sunrise to sunset, at all times through good

and bad. Lord let your light shine in this base

let all visitors and guests feel at home and

comfortable. Lord let peace and harmony

reign in this team and keep evil spirits away.

In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

BY: Pastor L.G. Gileni (Zulu), Walker Bay

NDIKHALA KUWE BAWO

Nkosi emandleni akho ndibeka ikhaya lam.

Kumandla akho khusela ikhaya lam.

Ngaphakathi nezithuku-thuku ndizibeka kuwe,

Nabangakwazi kuzithethela ndibaphosa kuwe

Ngabakho Nkosi nezilwanyana ngokunjalo.

Nkosi ndibeka umhlobokazi wam phambi

kobuso bakho. Ukuze ulungise indlela yakhe

phambi kobuso bakhe, njenjalo ukuziqoqa

azekhe mzekweni kwabanye abantu.Kum ngokunjalo bawo kuba ubomi bunzima

akukho ukwazi ukuthi wena wenza ngqo,

lento ifunekayo nguwe wedwa owaziyo

indlela zobomi. Ukohlukwazo nokunyuka

kwazo. Ndiphe ubuncathu bendalo ndizibone

ndingumntu onokuphosa amazwi okuwela

umlambo wobomi ongaziwa mntu.

BY: DJ: Sva

Walker Bay: Moonlight Hotshot

UDESMOND TUTU

U Desmond Tutu waye ngumfundisi omkhulu kakhulu wasetshetshi jikelele apha kweli lasemzantsi AfriKa. Emva

kokuba kuphume uNelson Mandela wajoyina i-ANC wayinceda i-ANC ngokuthi axelele abantu ngokuba i-ANC isukaphi,isebenza njani. Kodwa nangona wajoyina i-ANC wayenokholo ngokuba waxolelanisa abantu bakweli apho kwakusiliwa.

Abantu abamnyama nabamhlophe waye wabaxelela ukuba into yokuxabana ayinolisantweni elilizwe lelomntu wonke.Botsho baxolelena kwaphela nocalu-calulo kweli lizwe lase-Mzantsi Afrika wade wabekwa ngokuba ngumfundisi

omkhulu wase Mzantsi.

BY: Bra Tido, Walker Bay: Moonlight Hotshots




What is Epilepsy?

Epilepsy affects all people, both sexes, all ages, all

races, people of all levels of intelligence and of all social

backgrounds.

Seizures can be minor – where the person looksblank and stares. There may be blinking or slighttwitching. It lasts a few seconds then normal activity

continues. Or the seizure can be more severe where thecommon sequence is: staring; stiffening of the body;

possible blue colour around the mouth; jerkingmovements. As breathing restarts normal colour

returns. There may be blood flecked saliva and

incontinence (rare). Lasts a few minutes.

Treatment of a person‟s epilepsy depends on the type of

epilepsy the person has, therefore treatment is very

specific to each individual. Up to 80 % of persons whohave epilepsy have their condition controlled with anti-

epilepsy medication. Many other forms of treatment are

available, such as neuro-surgery.

What to do during a seizure?

Do..

Remain calm and note the time

Clear a space around the person, prevent others from

crowding around

Loosen tight clothing / neckwear. Remove spectacles.Cushion the head to prevent injury

Put person into shock recovery position (i.e. roll person into

his / her side, top leg bent, bottom arm slightly extended)

Wipe away excess saliva to facilitate breathing

Reassure and assist until person has recovered or become

re-orientated

Allow the person to rest / sleep is necessary – cover with a blanket.

Note the duration of the seizure and the time it took place. Provide this information to the person who had the

seizure after the person has recovered fully, in order for him / her to record the information in his / her seizure

diary.

Do not.. Restrict or restrain the person‟s movements.

Move the person unless the person might hurt him / herself or is in immediate danger (i.e. in a busy road)Put anything between the person‟s teeth or in the person‟s mouth

Give anything to eat or drink during the seizure

Give extra anti-convulsants, unless stipulated to do so by the neurologists

Call a doctor or an ambulance unless the person has injured him / herself badly or the seizure lasts longer than 6

minutes, or the person has repeated seizures without recovering

This information comes from Epilepsy South Africa. For more information, visit their website (www.epilepsy.org.za) or

call 0860 EPILEPSY or 0860 374537.

BY: Mluleki Zuma, General Admin Assistant, Cape Town Advocacy Office

DID YOU KNOW?

• Epilepsy is the most common neurological condition.

• About 1 in every 100 people has epilepsy.

• A single seizure does not necessarily mean you have

epilepsy.

• Epilepsy can affect anyone, at any age.

• 75% of people with epilepsy have had their first

seizure before 20yrs• Up to 80% of people will have their epilepsy controlled

by medication.

• Many children with epilepsy will outgrow it.

• Epilepsy is not a mental illness or psychiatric disorder.

• Epilepsy is not infectious or contagious.

• 1 in 20 people have a seizure at some time in their

lives.

• A seizure is caused by abnormal chemical activity of

the brain.

• Slightly more males than females have epilepsy.

• Epilepsy has not stood in the way of achievement for

people like Jonty Rhodes, Vusi Mahlasela and AgathaChristie.

• There are different forms of epilepsy and types of

seizures

• Some people's seizures follow a definite pattern while

others have unpredictable seizures.

• Some people get a warning before a seizure.

• Most seizures are over quickly and are easily dealt

with.

• Epilepsy affects people of all levels of intelligence and

from all racial and social backgrounds

• Anyone cane develop epilepsy at any stage of life.

• For most people with epilepsy, the biggest problemthey have to face is other people's attitudes to

epilepsy.

• What people with epilepsy most need is understanding

and acceptance from the public.




THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS!

If your articles appeared in this issue, please ensure you keep a copy on file for audit purposes.

We look forward to hearing from you and trust you enjoy reading the newsletter.

To ensure all entries are captured and published, all crews and regional managers are requested to submittheir contributions to the Media & Community Liaison Officer in their area.

Farewell to Zwane Lerothodi Meshack Saturday 13 August

It is with deep regret that I inform you that on Saturday we have lost Zwane Lerothodi Meshack our Type 1

Crew Leader based at Senekal.

“Zwane” as he was known to us, fell ill two weeks ago after which he was admitted to hospital on Thursday last

week and passed away on Saturday morning. He joined the WoF programme in 2007 and became Type II Crew

Leader in 2008 and Type I Crew Leader in 2010.

He was a great colleague, crew leader and friend to many of us and we will miss him.

Regards

Roelof Geyser, General Manager - FS

FFA BEE EMPLOYEE SHARE TRUST

REGISTRATION NUMBER: IT 602/11

Please allow me to explain this very exciting new venture that comes directly from the shareholders in

FFA Group of companies.

The Shareholders and directors decided to reward staff in the Group by founding the FFA BEE

Employees Share Trust and transferring 16% shareholding in FFA Holdings (Pty) Ltd to the Trust.

The Trust was formed and is called the FFA BEE Employee Trust.

As an interim measure the shareholders appointed Trustees, namely Joseph Magagula, Goodness

Lubisi and Anthony Mandjolo and Coenie Lamprecht. The trustees main task for the interim period will

be to implement the trust and to get going with the administration load. Once the trust is fullyoperational, the beneficiaries of the trust will then elect the trustees to represent them on the

Board.

Not everybody qualifies to become a beneficiary of the trust and therefore there are some criteria

that a person needs to comply with before they can become a member and benefit from the trust.

The criteria of qualification as a beneficiary are as follows:

1. Must be an employee of the FFA Group of Companies.

2. Must be an employee of the FFA Group of companies for a period of at least three years.3. Must be in a position of crew leader type 2 and higher. This includes therefore: Crew

leader type 1 and 2, drivers, all administration and management personnel.4. You must be classified as a Previously Disadvantaged Individual.

Beneficiaries who qualify will be notified in due course.

Coenie LamprechtChairman of the FFA BEE Employment Share Trust

August 2011 Wofire News

Documents

Transcript of August 2011 Wofire News