EASTERN CAPE NEWS - The Working on Fire - Kishugu Joint Venture is poised to play a pivotal role in the launch of the fifth phase of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWB), slated to take place in East London's Buffalo City Stadium on 24 April.
Here, President Cyril Ramaphosa will unveil a visionary plan aimed at generating five million EPWP work opportunities. Firefighters from the Working on Fire Programme will execute a march and drill before President Cyril Ramaphosa, while a Huey helicopter and a Cessna spotter plane from the Working on Fire - Kishugu Joint Venture will grace the skies with a ceremonial fly-past over the stadium, marking the culmination of the EPWP launch celebrations.
For over two decades, the Kishugu Group of companies has been instrumental in the development and implementation of the EPWP Working on Fire Programme.
This initiative has ensured the establishment of a comprehensive and dedicated wildland firefighting resource across South Africa, with 200 bases strategically positioned to combat the ever-present threat of wildfires.
Housed within the Environmental Protection branch of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, the award-winning Working on Fire Programme is a beacon of success in youth employment initiatives, aligning closely with EPWP objectives by providing poverty relief, training, upskilling and fostering social good.
Moreover, the employment opportunities it offers are not merely transient but serve as foundational steps in the career paths of its firefighters, equipping them with invaluable experience and skills essential for broader job markets or advancement within the WOF programme.
With a workforce exceeding 17 000 formerly unemployed youth, many of whom have transitioned into permanent roles within government agencies, the conservation sector, or the private sector, the impact of the Working on Fire Programme is tangible and enduring.
Furthermore, its international collaborations, such as deployments to Canada, underscore its expertise and commitment to global fire management efforts.
In a world increasingly affected by climate change-induced phenomena, such as extreme weather events and escalating wildland fires, the importance of initiatives like Working on Fire cannot be overstated. Recognising the urgent need for expanded firefighting capabilities, the programme has identified the requirement for 17 000 wildland firefighters to adequately safeguard South Africa against the growing threat of wildfires.
With a strategic plan for expansion over the next five years, this ambitious goal remains within reach, firmly anchored within the proven framework of the Working on Fire Programme.
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