Western Cape Type 2 Crew Leader Annelisa Flani, a single mother, recently spoke to WoFire News about her achievements within the Working on Fire programme.

Flani, from Khayelitsha, who joined Working on Fire as a firefighter in September 2014, recently became a Type 2 Crew Leader at the Newlands Team after completing her probation period after the recent devastating fires that took place in the Cape Peninsula.

Flani who lives with her daughter and mother in a two-bedroom house in Town Two, Khayelitsha, says that she did not finish Grade 12 and was home bound. When speaking about her journey she said, “A girl from my community told me about Working on Fire, so I applied and got in. Our training was very hard, we had to do a 2.4km run in under 14 minutes, push-ups, and learn how to deal with veld and forest fires”.

Flani explained that her Crew Leader course was not easy, but she knew she had to get through the probation period as it would give her the opportunity to become a good leader for her team.

Flani says: “I am thankful to be a part of the Working on Fire programme, as it has shown me my true potential. Now I can make a big difference in my daughter’s life, be a good mother and great example to her. I also get an opportunity to serve my country by protecting our environment.”