THE CITY OF TSHWANE EMERGENCY SERVICES RANK-AWARDING CEREMONY

THE CITY OF TSHWANE EMERGENCY SERVICES HOLDS APRESTIGIOUS RANK-AWARDING CEREMONY

CITY OF TSHWANE EMERGENCY SERVICES DEPARTMENT HOLDS A PRESTIGIOUS RANK-AWARDING CEREMONY FOR NEWLY APPOINTED OFFICERS

During May 2024, 48 positions in the City of Tshwane Emergency Services
Department were advertised. These were critical service delivery positions which
comprised the following:

• 16 district commanders
• 11 company commanders
• Seven fire safety officers
• Seven emergency planning officers
• Seven disaster management officers

On 21 November 2024, the Emergency Services Department held a prestigious event in which the newly appointed officers were awarded with ranks and other newly appointed non-ranking officials were also welcomed and congratulated for their achievements. On this occasion, the department celebrated the appointment of the successful candidates who recently went through an internal recruitment process
which aimed to fill the above-mentioned critical positions which had been vacant for a long time. This situation had to be resolved, because these positions are “command and control” positions, and they are critical for the incident management system, especially during emergency scenes.

These positions were advertised internally only. The department was comfortable that there was enough internal capacity at these levels, since some of the individuals had been acting without remuneration for long periods due to the positions being unfunded, and no acting allowance could be paid. Although not all 48 positions have been filled yet, 35 officers have been appointed so far, and they have already undergone the Officers’ Induction Programme, which ended on Friday, 22 November 2024.

Most of the newly appointed officers started on 1 November 2024. The others will start on 1 December 2024, and they have already been deployed to the stations and regions where they will be operating from.

These lists of appointments are as follows:
FIRE AND RESCUE OPERATIONS DIVISION
16 district commanders

District commanders manage, administrate, coordinate and lead the rendering of operational fire, rescue, hazardous materials and special operations responses in a geographically defined emergency services district in accordance with the Emergency Services Command and Control Framework and the related standard operating procedures as well as the directives of senior officers, the Divisional Chief: Fire and
Rescue Operations and the Chief of Emergency Services.

List of appointed officers

1. Anton Alton Skosana
2. Lehlabatlou Mishack Mothapo
3. Nyaleni Makumbila
4. Johannes Lindisitwa Radebe
5. The Wind Ramonyati
6. Thivhafuni Nemataheni
7. Tshepo Phahlane
8. Gramer Pretty Masoda Baloyi
9. Ernest Matlala
10. Malesela Griffiths Katlego Mamabolo
11. Mamotseki Angelina Linala
12. Ferdinand Pieterse
13. Antonie George Helberg
14. Lindsay Zwelithini Mnguni
15. Doreen Mbhele
16. Kortman Aaron Masanabo

Ten company commanders
Company commanders are fire officers who perform various managerial, administrative and technical tasks associated with fire and rescue operations, fire station operations and maintenance, fire and life safety, command and control, and training activities on a shift basis.

List of appointed officers

1. Neo Gift Mgudlwa
2. David Kgotlello Malondolozi
3. Dineo Mmashoge John Lekoana
4. Mzwakhe Chris Kubheka
5. Kgope Johannes Molokela
6. Karabo Calvin Motsepe
7. Brian William Mathebane
8. Lebogang Sebotse Nkadimeng
9. Ntsieni Justice Ramakokovhu
10. Priscilla Tshehla

BUSINESS OPERATIONS DIVISION
Four disaster management officers
Disaster management officers render disaster and risk management activities to
prevent or reduce the risk of disasters, mitigate the severity of disasters and ensure
emergency preparedness, rapid and effective response to disasters and post-disaster
recovery and rehabilitation.

List of appointed officers

1. Rosina Huma
2. Jane Matabane
3. Pheladi Mmakola
4. Sonia Meko

Three fire safety officers
These officers render fire safety inspectorate and law enforcement duties through
performing technical fire safety inspections that are directed at preventing and
enforcing the elimination and reduction of fire hazards that contribute to the occurrence
and spread of fire and unacceptable life safety risk to the occupants.
List of appointed officers

1. Audrey Cynthia Lebohang Khunou
2. Mpho Prince Poto
3. Putswa Jeffrey Mabusela

Two emergency planning officers
Emergency planning officers perform skilled technical tasks associated with the
interpretation, application and enforcement of fire protection regulations and technical
fire safety requirements as these relate to town-planning scheme applications,
changes in building occupancy, scrutiny of fire protection plans for code compliance
and the final inspection of buildings in accordance with approved fire protection plans.
List of appointed officers

1. Busiswa Juliet Sindikolo
2. Josias Marothi Letsoalo

During the closing session of the induction programme, some of the officers had this to say about their new roles:

• District Commander LM Mothapo suggested that this officer’s induction or a similar programme will be of great benefit if it is replicated and offered to all other officers in the department.

• District Commander JL Radebe said that he learned that education is very important and that we must take proper actions to be trustworthy, and work as a team. If anyone of us struggles with anything, he/she must not be shy to ask for assistance.

• District Commander KA Masanabo committed himself to be an agent of change and to indeed implementing positive change in his workplace. He thanked the Chief of Emergency Services and his team and the entire department for their dedication to igniting excellence. He mentioned that this was his first-ever induction as an officer, and it meant so much to him.
• District Commander D Mbhele said that the rank-awarding ceremony was a very touching one for her. She said that she felt very emotional, as this was a milestone for her. She applauded the chief and his team for a job well done.
• District Commander GPM Baloyi mentioned that she still could not believe the experience and thanked the chief for his dedication and commitment to the Emergency Services Department. She added that it was tough while we were acting officers, yet we also gained a lot of experience, which prepared us for the journey ahead.
• District Commander F Pieterse felt that the induction was very insightful and uplifting for the department and the appointed officers alike. He said the lectures were very important and that the new culture of accountable leadership is very productive. Everybody must have buy-in and we must all support the processes and work together for positive changes to happen. He mentioned that the rank-awarding ceremony was a very heart-warming and joyous although also an emotional moment for him.
• Fire Safety Officer MP Poto reflected on what he learned about positive thinking
  and a positive culture. He said that he is very grateful for the opportunity granted to him.
• District Commander AG Helberg mentioned that he has many years of being in the services. However, he still learned new things, and this was one of few very insightful moments in his life. He was especially impressed by the lesson in loss and damage and learning more about the Emergency Communication Centre, the Road Incident Management System (RIMS) and so forth.
• District Commander MGK Mamabolo thanked the Chief of Emergency Services and top Management. He said that the week was very informative and that there is still a lot to do, as we must still upgrade and develop ourselves further to remain current and relevant. He believes that everything is possible if you have confidence and determination. He said that most of the officers had acted in the critical positions for quite some time, not knowing the future, but with dedication they have now achieved success. He also noted that our political and executive leadership
  had reflected on the work of the Chief of Emergency Services and top management, as they constantly strived to deliver great results by being persistent regarding excellence.
• Company Commander KJ Molokela mentioned that he learned a lot about the wonderful organizational culture and leadership, and this increased his knowledge. He also learned a great deal about HR processes (for example leave administration) and injury on duty, operational risk visits, incident pre-planning, etc. He said he was very happy to see that some of his mentees were also among those who were awarded the officers’ ranks. It made him feel very proud, and
  therefore he will continue to excel in his work.

• District Commander E Matlala, spoke about the “Waterpas” analogy that his grandfather taught him when he was still young. His grandfather would use the waterpas (spirit level) to monitor the building process and progress. Only when his grandad was satisfied that the work was proper would the building process continue. He referred to this process as 1. Risk assessment, 2. Risk management,
  and 3. Risk elimination, which he will also use as guidance at the stations where he is deployed to.
• Company Commander NG Mgudlwa said: “This was a fact-finding process for me. We have been acting for a long time, and a lot of things were beginning to look familiar to us, but now we know for sure that we must do things right and with authority. The tone of leadership set by top management has rubbed off onto all of us. We’ll bring good results for the department, the community and, ultimately, ourselves.”
• District Commander N Makumbila said: “Firstly, I appreciate the leadership of the COE and his welcoming remarks when we started the induction, that as leaders, we must stand on a high moral ground. We therefore have hope, due to the COE’s leadership. I learned a lot about accounts, collecting revenue and the budgeting matters of the department and the City. I also learned that we must bring down and reduce or eliminate losses and damage in our department. When we go to the new stations, we must review the stats on accidents and identify the root causes. As managers and leaders, we must treat our work not only as humanitarian, but also as a business, which can only strive with the implementation of sound business principles, as the Deputy Chief for the Training Academy had also advised.”
• District Commander MA Linala said she liked the principle of accountability. This will make her work easier, knowing full well that she is accountable for her actions and the quality of her work.
• District Commander LZ Mnguni said that he likes the fact that we started with prayer on both occasions, during the opening of the induction programme and when had our rank awarding ceremony. This element of faith in God will help us to go far in life.
  

The newly appointed officers have varying levels of negotiating skills, leadership skills, project management skills, communication skills, advanced linguistic proficiency, a willingness to accept responsibility, and an ability to pay attention to detail, while working under extreme pressure in their daily duties and beyond the call of duty. The Emergency Services Department is immensely proud of these appointments, as they will add more value to the delivery of quality emergency services to the community
of Tshwane and beyond.