“I salute you,” declared the Executive Mayor of the Cape Winelands District Municipality, Ald (Dr) Elna von Schlicht, during the graduation ceremony held at the CWDM’s Firefighter Training Academy in Stellenbosch. “To begin with, an aspiring firefighter requires a very specific set of characteristics. These characteristics are then honed through training, and as you stand here today, you are committed, courageous, resilient, and possess an unyielding strength of character.”
The CWDM Firefighter Training Academy proudly presented the newest graduates of the Fire Fighting I and II modules during a ceremony that included a parade and impressive drill demonstrations. These dedicated firefighters, representing the South African Navy, Cape Winelands District, Swartland, and Langeberg Municipalities, have completed an intense 12-week training program to qualify for their roles.
The training program encompasses both theoretical and practical aspects, with the physical component often proving to be the most demanding. “When we began, it felt as if success was beyond our reach. We struggled individually, but as we came together as a team, we found motivation in one another, making even the most challenging tasks achievable!” shared CWDM Firefighter Junaid Rass during his tribute.
Photo:
- Group Photo (a): The Graduates, ready to go!
- Group Photo (b): Twenty-six proud Firefighters with dignitaries, including the Executive Mayor of the Cape Winelands District, Ald. (Dr) Elna von Schlicht, (Centre).
- The top students, from left: Top Theoretical Student: Heinrich Snyman, Langeberg Municipality; Most Dedicated Student: Aaliyah Abrahams, Stellenbosch Municipality; Student of the course and Best Practical Student, Seaman Kevin Maswati, SA Navy and Most Improved Student, Adrian Ferrier, CWDM Fire Services.
