BA AND BCT Tayla Smit “One thing all women should remember is that you are responsible for your destiny and career. If you sit down and wait for things to happen, nothing will happen. However, with hard work, lots of changes can take place. Be the change. Make the changes happen.” These were the words
Senior district manager at the City of Ekurhuleni’s DEMS Training Academy, Theresa Geldenhuys, was recently elected as the first female president of the Southern African Emergency Services Institute .
Geldenhuys explained that SAESI was an NGO formed in 1959 dedicated to protecting life, property, and the environment. “It’s incredible. I hoped with everything in me that I would get this. It is humbling to know so many people have faith in me and think I can make a difference,” she said. The newly elected president started volunteering as a firefighter in 1990. She started at the Germiston Fire Station and moved to the Leon Ferreira Fire Station in 2003. Before she became involved with emergency services, she was a nurse.
“Sure, there is still harassment and sexism happening against female firefighters. In our occupation, there is insufficient research into health issues and cancer risks for all firefighters. However, this is the occupation I chose. “This made me more determined to be the best at what I did. Although I had to prove myself to fellow firefighters, I became one of the boys. I know it sounds strange, but it simply means we were a team working together. During my career, I attended lots of training and sometimes was the only female on that specific course. I completed it successfully. Although I was singled out sometimes, I had a few male colleagues who always had my back.
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