On Friday, 24 November, local firemen and leaders were rewarded for their year’s hard work in a ceremony that the Randfontein Fire Department’s chief, Bennie Mohlabeng, told the Herald had been long awaited.
Mohlabeng said he was very grateful that the audience members had taken the time and made the effort to attend the day.
“The objective of the ceremony was to create a positive spirit among the personnel in terms of commitment and putting the service first, instead of just thinking about the money they earn. They need to realise that our service exists because of the people we serve. We also want to attract businesses to our area so that our town can grow, and to do that, the businessmen and-women must know that we are committed to guarding their businesses,” said Mohlabeng. He pointed out that if there were no accidents and no fires, the department wouldn’t have a reason to exist, and that response times were critically important.
The ceremony was attended by numerous dignitaries, among them Kenny Mampondo, chief of the Rand West City Local Municipality’s traffic department; Brigadier Manamela, the station commander at the Randfontein Police Station, other officers, and various managers and representatives from the sponsors, including Tambotie Mall and Pick n Pay Helikonpark.
“I started working as a fireman at Station 28 in Randfontein in 1990. I have many good memories and saw how things progressed during the years. This is a station of many memories and many stories. Every person who received an award today, deserves it,” said Gerhardt Nieuwoudt, regional commander of Mogale City’s Emergency Management Services.
The names of the people who received awards are:
Station maintenance:
• Elizabeth Moloi and Schalk Odirile
Best fire-fighters 2017
• Saltiel Letlhoo
• Obert Nyembe
• Meleya Motlhajoa
• Richman Simango
Best fireman of the Year 2017
• Marius Lauscher
Mohlabeng extended his thanks to the sponsors, who provided items such as a television and a microwave as prizes for the personnel, and to the personnel for going the extra mile, over and above the call of duty.
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