EPWP participant secure formal employment internationally
The Rustenburg Local Municipality hosted a heart-warming farewell function for one of its Expanded Public Works Programme firefighter participant and reservist, Mr Sello Desire who exited into a formal employment in Saudi Arabia. Mr Macheke who was honoured in absentia participated in the EPWP Fire & Emergency Reservist programme since December 2021 and acquired knowledge and skills which provided him with competencies to apply for job opportunities locally and internationally.
In her keynote address, MMC for public safety in the municipality, Cllr Mputle sent her well wishes to Mr Macheke in his undertaking of the new job. Cllr Mputle indicated that firefighters face successes and challenges as a team, hence “his success is our success, you have also made a contribution to his achievement, collectively you faced challenges and you managed to overcome them”. Cllr Mputle reminded Mr Macheke that he is not only going to Saudi Arabia for himself but to represent Rustenburg Local Municipality Fire-fighters and South Africa. “Go there and fly the South African flag high”! She concluded.
The chief fire officer in Rustenburg Local Municipality, Mr Ramothwala congratulated Mr Macheke and encouraged the firefighters to never get stuck in one place but to study further and work hard in order to pursue brighter future. “The achievement that we are witnessing today, tells us that you can do it, you must have ambitions. We are encouraging you to aim high and we appreciate your discipline, commitment and saving lives”. Ramothwala said.
Responding to the farewell gesture, Mr Macheke said he was very thankful for everything, every word that was spoken in his absence and appreciated everyone who took their own time and became part of the occasion. “Know that I value everything that has took place on that special day and I am honored to have been part of the journey. All in all I’m still yours to shine with and I will honour you all by showing off my given skills and by keeping the South African flag as high as possible”, he said.
The Fire & Emergency Reservist programme is an EPWP initiative and its focus is to create work opportunities and providing skills training. The programme is spearheaded by the Rustenburg Local Municipality’s Public Safety Directorate and its objective is to assist the municipality to decrease fire incidents so as to ensure that communities are safer. A total of 20 EPWP participants were recruited to the department to supplement the permanent staff members of the fire department in the municipality and the recruitment criteria for this programme was based on the physical fitness, matric certificate, Driver’s licence, Fire Fighter I and II Certificate or equivalent.
While in the Programme, the participants are required to undergo a relevant training which increases the participants’ chances of employability.
The activities of this project include:
• Responding to all emergencies
• Testing of all Emergency Appliances/Equipment in accordance with standard procedures and the results recorded
• Maintaining and testing fire appliances and equipment
• Pre-fire Planning Inspections
• Performing control room duties:
• PTE Endurance which is a monthly requirement to ensure fitness
• Drilling exercise – inspect readiness on fire extinguishing:
• Morning parade: full uniformed, emergency readiness, vehicle inventory, equipment checks, surrounding cleanliness.
Source: Government of South Africa