|
|
|
|
|
9 May 2025
|
City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department honours firefighters' bravery and service
|
|
|
|
On 4 May 2025, the City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department recognised and celebrated the extraordinary courage, dedication and sacrifice demonstrated daily by the brave men and women of the firefighting community. The event took place at Kolonnade Retail Park in Montana, Pretoria. The celebration served multiple purposes: to remember firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty; to honour those who assisted in the recovery of SAPS bodies from the Hennops River; to present certificates to newly trained firefighters and to unveil 11 newly acquired support vehicles.
The ceremony also included displays of various personal protective equipment (PPE) used by firefighters, along with rescue simulations that showcased the demanding situations firefighters often encounter in their line of work.
The event was graced by the presence of Executive Mayor Dr Moya, the Deputy Executive Mayor, city councillors and representatives from various partner organisations that collaborate with the Emergency Services Department.
Keynote address by the Executive Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya
The opening remarks of Executive Mayor, Dr Moya, was directly to encourage and honour the firefighters, “It is an honour to stand before you all today to extend gratitude to a special group of Tshwane employees. On this International Firefighters Day, we are gathered to join the world in honour of the men and women who City of Tshwane have lost their lives while trying to save the lives of others. I want to first begin by showing my utmost gratitude to the Tshwane heroes that lost their lives while serving as firefighters for the City of Tshwane”.
The lives of the following departed members were remembered as heroes and heroin who made ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty:
• Leading Firefighter Henry Knox, who lost his life while conducting a rescue operation at Hennops River in January 2011.
• Firefighter Kgabo Makhura, who lost his life while attending to a grassfire in September 2014.
• Leading Firefighter Tintshwalo Maria Nkuna, who passed away following a tragic car accident in February 2015
• Company Commander Frederik Ernst Coetzer, who experienced a medical condition while on duty in April 2020.
The Firefighter’s traditional element bell ceremony was observed, serving as a powerful symbol, signalling the end of a firefighter’s duties and life. This ritual not only acknowledges the commitment in the line of duty but also fosters a sense of unity among those left behind.
“While International Fire Fighters Day pays tribute to our fallen firefighters, I do believe it is a just occasion to honour those heroes who remain with us and continue to serve our capital city with dignity. You have chosen a profession that demands more of your skill. This profession demands that many of you place your most precious asset, your lives, on the line daily. Firefighters, you wake-up every day determined to protect us from the many dangers we face as citizens of Tshwane. From wildfires, raging floods and drownings, our firefighters remain determined to save lives”, said the Mayor Dr Moya, addressing a parade of firefighters in uniform and others in different Personal Protective Gears.
Mayor Dr Moya continued the ceremony by honouring the six firefighters who played an important role in the discovery of three bodies and a car, in the Hennops River, Centurion. The rescue operation helped uncover the disappearance of two other deceased citizens. These qualified swift water rescue and divers were awarded with the Bravery Award. “You were the nation’s heroes, as you helped resolve the disappearance of three South African Police Service members. You played a pivotal role for the families of those fallen police officers who can now begin a process of mourning”, said Mayor Dr Moya.
The effectiveness of the Emergency Services relies not only on the dedication of its personnel but also on the resources and support provided. The “red trucks” as they are called, are not only the vehicles needed for the effectiveness and efficiency running of the fire and rescue services but the utilities vehicles also give the supporting base for the smooth operation of the services.
The addition of 11 new vehicles, were unveiled by the Executive Mayor and handed the vehicles to the Mayoral Committee
Member MMC: Mr Hannes Coetzee, who handed the keys to Chief of Emergency Services, Mr Moshema Mosia.
In addition to the mentioned investments, Executive Mayor Dr Moya said, “I am proud to witness this department grow. Today, we are adding 38 graduate recruits to the City’s Emergency Services Department. This is in addition to the 98 graduates that we welcomed in January. The City of Tshwane values the contributions made by its employees. As a capital city, our pride is rooted in the services we provide but also in the wellbeing of our employees. We thank you, heroes, for your contributions”.
Source: Tebogo Maake, acting public information and media liaison officer, City of Tshwane Emergency Services
The ceremony also included displays of various personal protective equipment (PPE) used by firefighters, along with rescue simulations that showcased the demanding situations firefighters often encounter in their line of work.
The event was graced by the presence of Executive Mayor Dr Moya, the Deputy Executive Mayor, city councillors and representatives from various partner organisations that collaborate with the Emergency Services Department.
Keynote address by the Executive Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya
The opening remarks of Executive Mayor, Dr Moya, was directly to encourage and honour the firefighters, “It is an honour to stand before you all today to extend gratitude to a special group of Tshwane employees. On this International Firefighters Day, we are gathered to join the world in honour of the men and women who City of Tshwane have lost their lives while trying to save the lives of others. I want to first begin by showing my utmost gratitude to the Tshwane heroes that lost their lives while serving as firefighters for the City of Tshwane”.
The lives of the following departed members were remembered as heroes and heroin who made ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty:
• Leading Firefighter Henry Knox, who lost his life while conducting a rescue operation at Hennops River in January 2011.
• Firefighter Kgabo Makhura, who lost his life while attending to a grassfire in September 2014.
• Leading Firefighter Tintshwalo Maria Nkuna, who passed away following a tragic car accident in February 2015
• Company Commander Frederik Ernst Coetzer, who experienced a medical condition while on duty in April 2020.
The Firefighter’s traditional element bell ceremony was observed, serving as a powerful symbol, signalling the end of a firefighter’s duties and life. This ritual not only acknowledges the commitment in the line of duty but also fosters a sense of unity among those left behind.
“While International Fire Fighters Day pays tribute to our fallen firefighters, I do believe it is a just occasion to honour those heroes who remain with us and continue to serve our capital city with dignity. You have chosen a profession that demands more of your skill. This profession demands that many of you place your most precious asset, your lives, on the line daily. Firefighters, you wake-up every day determined to protect us from the many dangers we face as citizens of Tshwane. From wildfires, raging floods and drownings, our firefighters remain determined to save lives”, said the Mayor Dr Moya, addressing a parade of firefighters in uniform and others in different Personal Protective Gears.
Mayor Dr Moya continued the ceremony by honouring the six firefighters who played an important role in the discovery of three bodies and a car, in the Hennops River, Centurion. The rescue operation helped uncover the disappearance of two other deceased citizens. These qualified swift water rescue and divers were awarded with the Bravery Award. “You were the nation’s heroes, as you helped resolve the disappearance of three South African Police Service members. You played a pivotal role for the families of those fallen police officers who can now begin a process of mourning”, said Mayor Dr Moya.
The effectiveness of the Emergency Services relies not only on the dedication of its personnel but also on the resources and support provided. The “red trucks” as they are called, are not only the vehicles needed for the effectiveness and efficiency running of the fire and rescue services but the utilities vehicles also give the supporting base for the smooth operation of the services.
The addition of 11 new vehicles, were unveiled by the Executive Mayor and handed the vehicles to the Mayoral Committee
Member MMC: Mr Hannes Coetzee, who handed the keys to Chief of Emergency Services, Mr Moshema Mosia.
In addition to the mentioned investments, Executive Mayor Dr Moya said, “I am proud to witness this department grow. Today, we are adding 38 graduate recruits to the City’s Emergency Services Department. This is in addition to the 98 graduates that we welcomed in January. The City of Tshwane values the contributions made by its employees. As a capital city, our pride is rooted in the services we provide but also in the wellbeing of our employees. We thank you, heroes, for your contributions”.
Source: Tebogo Maake, acting public information and media liaison officer, City of Tshwane Emergency Services
