19/06/2026
Ngwathe Local Municipality.
19 June 2026.
Equipping the Youth,Equipping the Society.
Today, Ngwathe Local Municipality officially launched its Disaster Management Volunteers Brigade under the theme: "Rooted in Resilience and Driven by Dedication."
As a key strategic partner, the South African Red Cross Society facilitated intensive training from 26–30 January 2026, benefiting 51 volunteers drawn from all towns within the Ngwathe Local Municipality.
The training equipped volunteers with the necessary skills to respond to disaster incidents, conduct assessments, and provide support to communities affected by emergencies and disasters.
The launch was attended by the Executive Mayor of Ngwathe Local Municipality, Cllr Victoria de B**r-Mthombeni, MMC for Municipal Public Safety and Transport Cllr Noma Moloi, Cllr Moseme, senior managers from Ngwathe Local Municipality and Fezile Dabi District Municipality, as well as various stakeholders including the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC), South African Red Cross Society, Gift of the Givers, Fire Protection Association (FPA), Disaster Management Institute of South Africa (DMISA), Working on Fire, and Fezile Dabi District Municipality.
The volunteers successfully completed Level 1 First Aid and Disaster Baseline Training.
To further strengthen their operational readiness, Ngwathe Local Municipality provided the volunteers with uniforms that will be used during disaster response operations and assessment activities.
Addressing the gathering, Executive Mayor Cllr Victoria de B**r-Mthombeni emphasized that, in the face of ongoing climate change and increasing disaster risks, preparedness is no longer an option but a necessity. She further urged residents, particularly those living in disaster-prone areas, to remain vigilant and take the necessary precautionary measures to safeguard lives, property, and livelihoods.
