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15 August 2025
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Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality welcomes 20 new fire fighters
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The Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality celebrated a landmark achievement this week as 20 young recruits graduated as professional firefighters, marking a significant step toward bolstering the district’s capacity to combat wildfires and address youth unemployment. The graduation ceremony, held with pride and optimism, was addressed by Executive Mayor Motseokae Maje, who hailed the recruits as “heroes” and symbols of hope for the community.
In an inspiring speech, the Executive Mayor Maje reflected on the district’s struggles with devastating wildfires that have threatened farms, land, and livelihoods in recent years.
“Despite support from partners like Working on Fire, our limited capacity has often made it difficult to respond as swiftly as we would have liked,” the Mayor noted. However, the district’s visionary decision last year to invest in specialized firefighting training for 20 young residents has now borne fruit.
“Today, we welcome back these young men and women, not just as ordinary citizens, but as trained, uniformed, and dedicated firefighting professionals,” the Maje declared, addressing a crowd that included proud parents, guardians, and community members.
The recruits, who completed rigorous training, will be permanently employed as full-time firefighters by the district municipality starting January 2026. The Mayor emphasized that this initiative is about more than just firefighting—it’s about creating purpose, opportunity, and dignity through skills development and meaningful work.
Mayor Maje extended heartfelt gratitude to the parents and guardians for entrusting their children to serve the district, saying, “You have raised young men and women who are protectors of the land and symbols of hope and change.” Special recognition was also given to the MMC for Community Services, Cllr Boitumelo Setlhabetsi-Mokone, for her exceptional leadership in driving the project to success.
Speaking directly to the recruits, the Maje urged them to wear their uniforms with pride and serve with integrity, discipline, and humility. “You are the torchbearers of a safer district,” he said, encouraging them to embrace their roles as the vanguard of a new chapter in the district’s history.
The initiative is a dual triumph, addressing both the pressing need for enhanced disaster response and the challenge of youth unemployment. The Mayor Maje reiterated his commitment to investing in the district’s youth, strengthening emergency services, and fostering an inclusive, economically empowered community.
“Let this be a reminder to all young people in our district: When we work together, we can create real change. Opportunities exist, and your local government is working tirelessly to create more,” he affirmed.
The graduation ceremony concluded with a resounding call to action for a stronger, safer, and more prosperous Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District. “Congratulations to our new firefighter recruits. We are proud of you, we believe in you, and we stand with you,” the Mayor said, sparking applause from the audience.
As these 20 young firefighters prepare to take up their posts, the district looks forward to a future where its lands are better protected, and its youth are empowered to lead with courage and purpose.
Source: Morongwa Community Newspaper
In an inspiring speech, the Executive Mayor Maje reflected on the district’s struggles with devastating wildfires that have threatened farms, land, and livelihoods in recent years.
“Despite support from partners like Working on Fire, our limited capacity has often made it difficult to respond as swiftly as we would have liked,” the Mayor noted. However, the district’s visionary decision last year to invest in specialized firefighting training for 20 young residents has now borne fruit.
“Today, we welcome back these young men and women, not just as ordinary citizens, but as trained, uniformed, and dedicated firefighting professionals,” the Maje declared, addressing a crowd that included proud parents, guardians, and community members.
The recruits, who completed rigorous training, will be permanently employed as full-time firefighters by the district municipality starting January 2026. The Mayor emphasized that this initiative is about more than just firefighting—it’s about creating purpose, opportunity, and dignity through skills development and meaningful work.
Mayor Maje extended heartfelt gratitude to the parents and guardians for entrusting their children to serve the district, saying, “You have raised young men and women who are protectors of the land and symbols of hope and change.” Special recognition was also given to the MMC for Community Services, Cllr Boitumelo Setlhabetsi-Mokone, for her exceptional leadership in driving the project to success.
Speaking directly to the recruits, the Maje urged them to wear their uniforms with pride and serve with integrity, discipline, and humility. “You are the torchbearers of a safer district,” he said, encouraging them to embrace their roles as the vanguard of a new chapter in the district’s history.
The initiative is a dual triumph, addressing both the pressing need for enhanced disaster response and the challenge of youth unemployment. The Mayor Maje reiterated his commitment to investing in the district’s youth, strengthening emergency services, and fostering an inclusive, economically empowered community.
“Let this be a reminder to all young people in our district: When we work together, we can create real change. Opportunities exist, and your local government is working tirelessly to create more,” he affirmed.
The graduation ceremony concluded with a resounding call to action for a stronger, safer, and more prosperous Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District. “Congratulations to our new firefighter recruits. We are proud of you, we believe in you, and we stand with you,” the Mayor said, sparking applause from the audience.
As these 20 young firefighters prepare to take up their posts, the district looks forward to a future where its lands are better protected, and its youth are empowered to lead with courage and purpose.
Source: Morongwa Community Newspaper