ST FRANCIS BAY – The St Francis Bay Fire Station celebrated the completion of a comprehensive two-year renovation project on 26 August that has transformed the facility into a modern, fully-equipped emergency services hub.
The project, spearheaded by the Rotary Club of St Francis Bay, represents what officials are calling a shining example of community collaboration among local government, businesses and organisations. Lesley de Jager, President of the Rotary Club of St Francis Bay, said that the project has been a true community effort.
She said that over the past two years, many hands and hearts have worked together to make this transformation possible.
“We now stand at a fire station that is not only functional, but a proud symbol of what we can achieve when Rotary, local government, businesses and our community come together,” said De Jager.
The revamped facility received comprehensive upgrades, including repainting, retiling, replacement of all light fittings, creation of separate bathroom facilities for female staff, ceiling and roof repairs, new signage, waterproofing, installation of water tanks, landscaping, and new flood lighting systems.
The project received significant financial backing from local businesses, Billy’s Beach and DVG, with additional contributions from Rotarians Jef Forrer, who guided the project, and Stephan de Bruin, who oversaw the building work while making a substantial personal contribution.
Local contractors contributed to the project’s success by offering services at community-friendly rates, including Adrian Thorn from Kouga, local architect Philip Janks, Dewald Gouws from Aluminium Purpose, Wendy Wills and Larry Wood from Buco, Henry Claassens and his team from 1st Class Cons, Arnold Whitehead from Nolans Plant Hire, Zurcher’s Electrical and Hein Du Preez Plumbers.
For Kouga Local Municipality Executive Mayor, Hattingh Bornman, the occasion was more than just a ribbon-cutting ceremony; it was a return to his roots. As a learner at Nico Malan High School in Humansdorp, Bornman once worked night shifts at the very same fire station to earn pocket money. By morning, he would head to class still carrying the smell of smoke on his clothes, a badge of honour that spoke of long nights spent in service.
“Those shifts were tough, but they shaped me,” said Bornman. “I learned the value of hard work, the importance of doing the small things right, and the discipline of neatness and order.”
Bornman recalled how his journey began with a unique “interview” under the guidance of Dewald Barnard, Kouga Municipal Manager for Fire and Disaster Management, who was then the station commander.
“He gave me two 25-litre containers and told me to run with them to the fence and back. When I returned, he said, ‘All right, you’re fit, you get the job.’ That was it. I was hired. Soon after, I was heading out at night to help put out fires. I carry many good memories from those days,” said Bornman.
He said the lessons learned during those formative years have stayed with him throughout his career, forming a solid foundation for the responsibilities he now carries as Mayor of Kouga.
Charl du Plessis, Kouga Municipality Municipal Manager, emphasised the importance of a fire station.
He noted that the St Francis Bay Fire Station is one of the top-performing fire stations and expressed the municipality’s commitment to ensuring all departments within the Kouga Municipality are considered the best in South Africa.
Barnard provided historical context for the renovation. He said that the fire station was built between 1987 and 1990 and handed over to the St Francis Fire Department on 5 October 1990.
“Each section, which included an office, boardroom, sleeping quarters, bathrooms, kitchen and gym, had its own set of needs. Thankfully, through the revamp, each area received special attention,” said Barnard.
Allister Brown, a firefighter who has been stationed at St Francis Bay since 2010, expressed gratitude for the improvements to what he called their “home away from home.”
Brown also paid tribute to the late Tom Roux, a fellow Rotarian who originally presented the renovation concept to the club but passed away before seeing its completion. He said that Roux had a special place in his heart for the St Francis Fire Station and that they are thankful for his contributions.
“With our newly revamped fire station, we will continue to serve and protect our community with pride,” said Brown. To honour Roux, a remembrance plaque, which De Jager describes as a “lasting tribute to his dedication and service” was unveiled.
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