Help these unspoken heroes of Barberton

As has been the case with several other Lowveld towns, Barberton has experienced widespread winter fires that have left destruction in their wake.

Barberton faces its own set of challenges when it comes to fighting fires, as the nearest municipal fire engines are based in Mbombela, with over 40km to travel before reaching an emergency in this small town. The local fire department serves the community to the best of its ability with limited resources and equipment.

The true heroes among other private firefighting organisations are the Makhonjwa Auxiliary Emergency Services (MAES), a registered NPO established to support the Ehlanzeni District and surrounding regions. The MAES volunteers work tirelessly in spite of the risks and dangers they face. Over recent weeks, the team has fought blazes until the early-morning hours, with most of them returning to their day jobs afterwards to provide for their families.

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Following a recent veld fire, the owner of Geo Trail Lodge and Spa in Barberton, Marc Paterson, expressed his sincere gratitude to MAES for working to extinguish a blaze adjacent to the lodge until early morning. He said the outcome would have been very different had MAES not been on-site to assist.

Not all stories in Barberton have had a happy ending when it comes to the recent winter fires. A shop in town burnt down, and a resident lost her life when a house in Sheba Road was engulfed in flames.

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The Barberton community and the private sector are urged to support MAES in its efforts to serve the town despite not having an operational fire truck. Volunteers have been funding fuel and other running expenses themselves. For donations or assistance in other forms, feel free to contact Andrea on 079 771 7789 or Marie on 071 405 7940.