WATCH: Emotional tribute to fallen firefighters
Uniformed firefighters wearing their full gear shed tears at the scene where three of their colleagues lost their lives.
It was an emotional day for the Emergency Management Service at the memorial service of the three firefighters – Simphiwe Moropana (28), Mduduzi Ndlovu (40) and Khathutshelo Muedi (37). They died last week as they battled a blaze that broke out at the Bank of Lisbon building in the Johannesburg CBD.
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The day was filled with mixed emotions as family, friends, colleagues and officials from the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) gathered in their numbers to say their goodbyes to the fallen heroes.
The day started with family members and dignitaries visiting the building to remember the three fallen firefighters, and to lay wreaths.
Uniformed firefighters wearing their full gear shed tears while standing at the scene where three of their colleagues died.
Family members laid flowers at the foot of the three steel crosses that symbolised the fallen three firefighters. Colleagues who battled the blaze, Moropana, Ndlovu, and Muedi, also laid red roses and embraced each other.
The second part of the memorial service was held at Ellis Park Arena.
Firefighter Themba Tshemese shared the tragic events of the day when he had to recover the bodies of his three colleagues.
He said as firefighters know that their work is dangerous, but it’s a calling they are proud of as firefighters.
He spoke about the three fallen firefighters and how they loved their job.
“We were born to do this, and our brothers did their job well. We were more than colleagues. We are family and mourn with the family,” said Tshemese.
Mayor Herman Mashaba, speaker of council Vasco da Gama and MMC for public safety Clr Michael Sun attended the memorial services.
The mayor expressed the city’s condolences.
“I can’t imagine the pain and the grief that is in your hearts.
“But during this time of great sorrow, I hope you can find comfort in the profound gratitude of the people of Johannesburg,” said Mashaba.
Fairview firefighter Moropana died after he fell from the 23rd floor of the building.
He ran out of oxygen in his tank and went to the ledge to try to get air.
The other two firefighters, Ndlovu from Johannesburg central, and Muedi, also from Fairview station, died from lack of oxygen after they were trapped in the building.
The funeral services were held in three provinces, Gauteng, Limpopo, and KwaZulu-Natal, last weekend.
Moropana was buried in Dayeyton on September 14 followed by Muedi in Limpopo on September 15. Ndlovu was laid to rest in KwaZulu-Natal on September 16.
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