Like a fairy godmother, opportunities at the City of Joburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) always come Mpho Makhaya’s way when she needs them most. Twenty-five-year-old Mpho is one of EMS’s success stories. She started in the cadet programme as a 13-year-old; today she’s an EMS Public Information and Education Relations (PIER) intern.
In grade 9, a lady at her church told her about the cadet programme. She didn’t need to be convinced and joined shortly after.
Her Saturdays turned into learning days at the Florida Fire Station, where the cadets learned about basic first aid and firefighting.
“I remember the first thing I saw were kids being drilled. It’s like I was introduced to a semi-military world. I later understood that they were training us to become future firefighters,” Mpho says.
She says the cadet programme, founded by Joceline Flank, boosted her discipline and persistence. She was part of the programme her entire high school journey. “It taught me what hard work is.
It saved me and other kids from drugs and teenage pregnancies because it was a safe space for us,” says Mpho, who resides in Dlamini, Soweto.
“I’m here because of that EMS cadet programme. Everything I learned in the cadet programme has made me who I am today,” she adds.
After matriculating in 2014, she wanted to study further but did not have the money. That’s when EMS called with an opportunity to complete a firefighter 1 and hazmat awareness courses.
“All I knew was that I was already a future firefighter,” she says proudly.
In 2016, she was at another standstill, wondering what to do next. So she decided to look for jobs in malls. EMS called again, this time with an opportunity to apply for a study bursary.
Mpho’s application was successful and, through the bursary, she completed a National Diploma in Fire Technology at the Tshwane University of Technology in 2018.
In 2019, she got an opportunity to complete the firefighter 2 and hazmat courses. In 2021, EMS called again, this time for an interview and she was appointed as an intern.
Mpho loves interacting with pupils. “I would love to change people’s lives the same way Mr Flank changed mine. Whatever I do in life, I hope it impacts people,” she says. She is also grateful for Mohamad Mahri, one of her mentors.
Mpho is an ambivert with a balance of introvert and extrovert features. Her grandparents taught her the importance of family. “Of all the riches in the world, I think I’m rich with love and happiness.”
She loves reading and is also business minded. As a fitness fanatic, in her spare time she works on growing her fitness brand @MCM4it on Facebook and on TikTok @MCMFit.
She hopes to become a permanent firefighter as she envisions herself serving the community in Public Safety.
Written by Brümilda Swartbooi
11/11/2022