The KwaZulu-Natal Working on Fire Communications Cluster conducted a fire awareness campaign in eThekwini, Inanda in the Amatata community on 13 June.

The KZN Community Fire Awareness Officer, Makhosi Dladla, said the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries identified that this community has had fires in the past but had not received any assistance in reducing the risk of fires in their community.

“Since the community already has a Environment Committee, a fire or disaster committee will be easily established, we received a great response from the community leaders and they promised to invite us back for a workshop”, Makhosi said.

The Chairperson of the Matata Environment Committee, Mr. G Goba said,“ Our community has battled with fires in the past, I am very pleased that Working on Fire could make it to educate us on how we can protect ourselves in the future”.

The KZN team partnered DAFF, Provincial Disaster Management Centre, the Ward Community Development Workers and the eThekwini Disaster Management.

The eThekwini Disaster Management Officer, Mthoko Mhlongo, encouraged the community of Matata to call them if they need assistance with anything. “We won’t know what happens in Matata unless we are called, I hope to start a new strong relationship with this community so we may have projects in preventing disasters, because prevention better than cure”, Matata said.