The Working on Fire-Kishugu Joint Venture (WOF) is a group of people who help with containing veld fires in the area and trains individuals to aid in their quest.
In Gauteng, WOF embarked on a recruitment drive to hire 15 prospective wildland firefighters at the Cullinan, Leeuwfontein, Suikerbosrand, and Heidelberg bases.
“Various young candidates competed for these limited positions,“ said Parapara Makgahlela, provincial communication officer for Gauteng.
“We expected the participants to do a physical fitness test of 2.4km, as well as push and pull-ups within a set time. Successful participants would go to the Kishugu Training Academy in Nelspruit for the 25-day wildland firefighting course.
“Upon their return, the candidates would be bolstering the crew members in respective teams to fight wildfires which threaten to destroy livelihoods and properties, explained Makgahlela.
Kabelo Phakedi, a youngster from Soweto, is one of the participants who will undergo this training at the academy. He said he needed skills in wildland firefighting.
“Up to the age of 25, Pkakedi had no formal employment opportunity. This opportunity has helped him to restore his dignity and pride as a young man.
“Upon completion of the training, Phakedi will be deployed to Heidelberg where most landowners are battling wildland fires which threats food security” concluded Makgahlela.
