{"id":294568,"date":"2025-11-27T10:48:12","date_gmt":"2025-11-27T08:48:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/eikestadnuus\/?p=294568"},"modified":"2025-11-27T10:48:14","modified_gmt":"2025-11-27T08:48:14","slug":"photos-cape-winelands-district-municipaltys-new-firefighting-corps-step-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/eikestadnuus\/photos-cape-winelands-district-municipaltys-new-firefighting-corps-step-out\/","title":{"rendered":"Photos | Cape Winelands District Municipalty’s new firefighting corps step out"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Cape Winelands District Municipality’s (CWDM)<\/a> Fire Services Training Academy celebrated the graduation of 23 firefighters on Friday 21 November.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unusually, the event was hosted at the Ysterplaat Air Force Base to allow the Department of Defence (DoD) graduates the honour of stepping out on their own ground. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The firefighters completed various components of their fire training, including Firefighter 1, Hazmat Awareness, and Hazmat Operations. The programme commenced on Monday 18 August and concluded on Friday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The CWDM’s Fire and Rescue Services Training Academy has, through training firefighters from various DoD units, developed strong relationships and created a solid platform for collaboration,” said CWDM mayor Dr Elna von Schlicht. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“By developing skills across multiple disciplines, we have expanded the footprint of trained firefighters, ensuring that there are able-bodied responders in areas that previously had none or had only limited access.”\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> 26 Brandbestryders gradueer in Kaapse Wynland<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"All
All the students and dignitaries who attended the CWDM Fire Services Training Academy’s graduation ceremony at Ysterplaat Air Force Base last week.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The graduation ceremony included long-held fire service traditions, such as the formal parade of firefighters. The showcase demonstrated how the group works as a cohesive, disciplined team capable of following the direction of their leader. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heinrich Louw, a regional training commander who has been training firefighters since 2013, expressed his pride in the group. “Every group is different and every person faces unique challenges. It is with pride that I watch them develop into a team of firefighters. Though they come from different walks of life, they form a single firefighting force \u2013 they become a brotherhood,” said Louw.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the event, CWDM chief fire officer Wayne Josias shared that the district’s Fire Services are well prepared for the 2025-’26 fire season. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>Cape Winelands firefighting \u2018army\u2019 mobilised for busy inferno season<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"Best
The best overall student with dignitaries (from left) Lieutenant General Reena Goruknath (Department of Defence); Dr Elna von Schlicht (CWDM executive mayor); Sebastiaan van der Walt (best theoretical and academic student, Stellenbosch Municipality); Major General Buthini Feni (deputy chief of logistics at the Department of Defence), CWDM chief fire officer Wayne Josais.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"The
The top students (from left) Seaman Thulani Nkosi (student of the course, Winter 2025); Robert Pienaar (CWDM, Student of the Course, Spring Class 2025); Seaman Ricardo August, Sylvia Josias Award); Officer Reyan Neyazi (best theoretical student: HAZMAT); Sebastiaan van der Walt (best theoretical and academic student, Stellenbosch Municipality); Seaman Cole Benny (best practical student, HAZMAT); and Gershwin Muller (most improved student).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Flyby \u2013 Leading Edge. Photo: WO1, Benjamin Pearce<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

“Not only are we seeing an increase in the number of fires, but the intensity and duration of these fires are also rising. Maintaining firebreaks and keeping the wild areas adjacent to your property clear of flammable materials \u2013 such as dead vegetation and rubbish \u2013 can greatly reduce the risk of fires that destroy homes,” Josias pointed out.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No graduation is complete without celebrating the exceptional few students, who were recognised for their academic and practical achievements. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The top student in both the theoretical and practical components of the course was young Sebastiaan van der Walt, a reservist at Stellenbosch Municipality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Cape Winelands District Municipality’s Fire Services Training Academy graduated 23 firefighters at Ysterplaat Air Force Base on 21 November. The ceremony honoured Department of Defence graduates who completed comprehensive training including Firefighter 1 and Hazmat operations. Mayor Dr Elna von Schlicht highlighted the strong collaboration between CWDM and DoD, while officials confirmed readiness for the challenging 2025-’26 fire season 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