N E W S & V I E W S • D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3 29 NCT Forestry Agricultural Co-operative Limited Management in Melmoth met to plan a way forward to build healthy and long-lasting relationships with the community. Amongst everything that was agreed on that day, a fireawareness-through-sports event was planned for 5 August 2023. Neighbouring departments were invited: • Department of Disaster Management • Working On Fire • Department of Social Development • Department of Health • Mfezi Security • South African Police Services • Department of Community Policing Forum • Community Liaison Officers • NICRO • Melmoth Municipality Office. The aim of involving these stakeholders was to spread fire-awareness not only in the forestry industry but to cover all the challenges faced in our society. At times some problems start outside our area and end up being a community problem which puts everyone at risk. All the departments invited attended our first meeting, which gave us an opportunity to explain the end goal of the event, and how we would make it happen as NCT. The meeting was a success and all stakeholders promised to participate in the event and assist where possible. Invitation letters were sent to community members – neighbours of NCT and surrounds. The targeted places were Mfule Mission, – Maarten Grobbelaar – Estate Manager, Melmoth – Makhasaneni Location, Thubalethu Township and KwaMbuthu Location as the participating clubs came from those communities. All were welcome to join us during the event with a united vision to educate Melmoth residents. Help from Mooiplaas Forestry, ISQ Holdings, SPAR, MFEZI security, SASOL and SHOPRITE was forthcoming for the event. The event kicked off with the first two soccer matches and a netball match while we waited for attendance to increase. Once satisfied, NCT began the presentations on fire-awareness highlighting the dangers of starting fires and their consequences. Thereafter, the invited stakeholders spoke of ways to deal with community issues instead of using fire. The Community Policing Forum emphasised the criminal implications associated with starting fires. After all the presentations, lunch and refreshments were served as the final games were played for both soccer and netball. As the event ended, we called everyone to hand over the soccer and netball kits to all the participants, and NCT delivered a closing statement including the appreciation to all the attendees. The attendance was more the we expected. Of course, we reiterated the importance of resolving issues through communications instead of fire. A huge thank you to the NCT Management team that made it all possible. Support from the community of Melmoth. Prize-giving ceremony.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjgyNjA0