N E W S & V I E W S • D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3 23 As many of you know, our peaceful lives turned upside down recently after a massive fire almost destroyed everything at our Richards Bay Chipping mill. It has been a surreal time and I yet need to find the courage to deal with the loss to our growers and members. To my fellow employees of NCT who unselfishly worked day and night to bring this large fire under control we can only be thankful everyone is safe. We have much yet to contemplate but what is absolutely the most important element is to confirm no injuries. We must begin with a special thanks to all the responders who assisted NCT mill from the getgo. To the firefighters from the uMhlathuze Fire Department, Mondi (Rural Metro), South32, and Transnet who were all on the scene so quickly we cannot thank you enough for your heroic efforts. There were industries who generously made vehicles, equipment, and staff available for the duration of the fire fighting efforts. The level of equipment available over the next few days is convincingly one of the most impressive resource accumulations for one fire ever recorded. This was driven by a community that showed a resolute – Ryno Martyn – Operations Manager – that can only be described as monumental. Never in a million years did we think we would be on the receiving end of so many meals, water /juices and any other conceivable goodies to make all the fire fighters’ efforts just that more bearable over the duration of the fire. We are so proud of our community as they possess a generosity of spirit that is truly amazing. While we are devastated by the experience and the fire will be etched into our memories forever, we are consoled by the fact that these incredible acts of kindness will likely be a much more vivid memory. It has been so important for us all to see all the goodness displayed in the middle of such a frightening time of uncertainty. This was certainly that one black swan too many! Starting with Covid, then the unrest, finally the floods. We certainly have a long road ahead, but it is so comforting to know that we are not alone. We are eternally grateful for our community, our fellow industries and our District and Local government. We are truly humbled by it all. Please take special note of the “Roll of Honour” on page 22 opposite. Eazi Access and Usizo Projects who donated food and provided a crane to NCT. Chad (L) from Fusion Ministries with Ryno Martyn. The Richards Bay community supplied the bulk of the donations through this church.
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