Former firefighter becomes nature conservationist
A former firefighter who excelled in his job with the Working on Fire (WoF) programme has started a new career.
According to the Gauteng communication officer, Parapara Makgahlela,
Vusimuzi Maseko, the newly appointed, energetic nature conservation assistant in the directorate of biodiversity management at the Abe Bailey Nature Reserve, hit the ground running.
Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development manages this reserve.
Maseko started his career as a wildland firefighter with the Working on Fire team in the reserve in 2019 after undergoing an advanced course at Kishugu Training Academy in Nelspruit. He was appointed as a first-aider for his team the same year.
”The Working on Fire Programme empowered me with skills and training to match the requirements of the advertised post. The skills and experience I gained helped me apply for this position,” says Maseko.
His new roles include burning fire breaks, general maintenance, and game counting, among other things. Maseko vowed to ace the assignment since he is dedicated and committed to making a difference.
”I will be contributing to conserving biodiversity management. Wildland firefighting has introduced me to nature conservation. My Working on Fire team will work closely with me in doing the burning,” Maseko says.
He is grateful that Working on Fire gave him work opportunities and the skills needed for biodiversity management.
