Atlantic Fire & Rescue’s growing impact across Cape Town’s informal settlements has been recognised on national television, featured on eNCA under the headline: “Fighting Fire with Education and Training.”
The segment highlighted the devastating reality of fire season — and the essential role AFR is playing in preventing loss of life, homes, and dignity through community-based fire readiness programmes.

eNCA anchor Aviwe Mtila opened by describing the crisis facing Cape Town communities:
“Since April, shack fires have killed up to 13 people in the province.”

Reporter Nobisutur Hejana detailed the severity of recent incidents, including the fire in Eagle Park’s D Section, Lotus River, where 120 structures burned down, displacing nearly 150 residents.

Survivors spoke of the devastation:

Faizel Smith, fire victim:
“Two days back, we lost 120 homes. Three weeks back, more. It’s heartbreaking.”

Felicity Rondganger, fire victim:
“The concerns are now, it can start again because we don’t have the right material, and we are all struggling here.”

Hejana explained how AFR is stepping in with proactive, community-driven solutions:
“As hot, dry and windy conditions increase fire risk, this volunteer brigade is attempting to avert calamities.”

AFR Commander Paul Krüger described the organisation’s mission:
“So what we’re doing is forming teams in the communities — team leaders — and we establish firefighting teams in these communities that we can train. We donate fire extinguishers, training, and support.”

AFR volunteer Loyiso Skoti shared how the momentum began:
“The first time on the 9th of September, we were on our way from Monwabisi Park Khayelitsha training session. As we passed Kanana, we saw that there was a fire. So we stopped and managed to contain the fire in Kanana, Gugulethu. Since then, we never stopped.”

eNCA further reported that AFR has visited 30 sites and trained around 1,000 volunteers, building rapid-response teams that activate when danger strikes.

Khayelitsha residents expressed deep gratitude for the skills and hope delivered through AFR’s programme:

Ncumisa Dosi, Taiwan Informal Settlement Resident:
“This is going to help and work for us; we are grateful to Atlantic Fire and Rescue for coming up with this plan. We have hope now.”

Bukelwa Maweza, Zola Informal Settlement Resident:
“It’s my first time attending fire training. I lost my home in February; everything was destroyed. I came to this training to get help.”

As fire risks escalate and communities continue to call for help, eNCA reported that Atlantic Fire & Rescue will be expanding its work across Cape Town due to the overwhelming need.

Through training, equipment donation, and community empowerment, AFR continues to fight fire — not only with water and extinguishers, but with education, readiness, and unity.