WOF takes firefighting abroad

Firefighter Wonderful Raphahlelo (33) flew the South African flag high during her recent deployment to Canada to help battle wildfires.

She was part of the Mzanzi 1 Hotshots contingent of 200 Working on Fire (WOF) firefighters and 14 management personnel that travelled to Canada.

Raphahlelo, from Sekgosese in Limpopo, was recruited by WOF in 2010, a few months after completing matric.

WOF is an Expanded Public Works Programme funded by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment that aims to create jobs, save lives and protect the environment.

On a day-to-day basis, WOF firefighters perform tasks ranging from administrative work to extinguishing fires on farms.

Speaking to Vuk’uzenzele, Raphahlelo said she is grateful to be part of WOF.

“I get the opportunity to serve and represent South Africa in other countries,” she said.

Raphahlelo is also able to contribute to her household.

“There are eight of us at home and I’m the breadwinner. A lot of people are relying on me to put food on the table.”

In 2014, Raphahlelo was also part of the team of firefighters that helped battle fires in Mozambique.

A learning experience

Raphahlelo said that while the conditions in Canada were challenging, she learnt a lot while working with firefighters from other countries.

“I was confused about why we were going to put out fires while it was raining. In Canada, we were dealing with underground fires. We were hunting hotspots even when it was raining and this was different from what we do here at home,” she explained.

WOF said the successful deployment of the Mzanzi 1 Hotshots in Canada highlighted the importance of the programme in South Africa and its contribution to international firefighting efforts.

“By empowering young men and women from disadvantaged communities through training and employment opportunities, the WOF programme not only helps mitigate the impact of wildfires but also transforms lives and empowers communities,” WOF said in a statement.