Speech by the Executive Mayor, Alderman Patricia de
Lille, at the Fire and Rescue Services section graduation
parade on 14 December 2012
Good morning, goeiedag, molweni.
It is a great pleasure to join you this morning on this special occasion.
The City of Cape Town is fully committed to building a Safe and Caring
City for all of the people who call Cape Town home.
The government which I lead has, since taking office, put in place a
number of plans and policies to translate this commitment into reality.
We have worked to ensure that we have the most extensive basket of
free basic services for the poor than any other metro in South Africa.
We have provided title deeds to qualifying beneficiaries, electrified
identified informal settlements, and invested in the creation of an
integrated public transport system.
And yet I know that the vision we have for Cape Town will only be
realised by the hard work of the men and women who work for this City.
Men and women like you.
You will know, far better than I do, that choosing to be a part of the City’s
Fire and Rescue Services section, is a decision not to be taken lightly.
Graduates: I have seen, first-hand, the dedication that is necessary in
what will soon be your line of duty.
Cape Town is especially prone to fires.
All Capetonians, our homes, our belongings, and the environment in
which we live are vulnerable.
But it is the poorest in our communities who are particularly at risk.
In some of these communities, limited access for emergency vehicles, the
density of structures in many informal settlements, and the pervasive use
of paraffin all add to the difficulty of the work that lies ahead of you.
The months of extensive training you have undergone have, I am sure,
prepared you to meet those difficulties.
The importance of teamwork, physical fitness training, procedural and
operational tasks, the handling of equipment, and an acute awareness of
the dangers that characterise every fire scene will have been taught to
you by those who have had years of experience.
I am confident that they have taught you well.
And that each of you will use your newly-acquired skills to forge a
successful career ahead of you.
It is the dream of many children to become firefighters and rescuers.
This is understandable.
Your chosen career path, a path of service, brings with it the chance to be
heroic – to protect and save lives, to master your fears.
But it is also a path that is fraught with risks and one that requires much
courage and leadership.
I want to thank you all today – those who have taught today’s graduates,
and those who have learnt – for the invaluable service you give to our
City.
Your efforts do not go unnoticed.
And to the graduates, thank you for allowing me to address you today –
and for choosing to be a part of the City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue
Services.
Thank you.