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By Raine St.Claire
Established in 2019, the all-Women Wildland Firefighting Project is the brainchild of Dean Ferreira, Managing Director of NCC Environmental Services. Along with providing life-changing opportunities, in collaboration with Dr Lucille Meyer, the CEO of Chrysalis Academy, the Consulate General of the United States in Cape Town, and the Department of Community Safety in the Western Cape, the NCC Environmental Services embarked on an empowering journey to train and employ a group of women as wildland firefighters.
The project aims to address the significant underrepresentation of women in the firefighting sector while providing life-changing opportunities to vulnerable youth. The crew is made up of mostly young adults from at-risk communities and women from previously disadvantaged backgrounds in and around Cape Town, and includes many sole breadwinners for their families.
Hailing from areas such as Khayelitsha, Eerste River, Mfuleni, Macassar, Lavender Hill, and Bonteheuwel, these women face poverty, crime, and violence in their daily lives. Led by Superintendent Kylie Paul, a former primary school teacher with a degree in environmental management, the Juliet Crew has experienced remarkable growth and progress under her guidance. From shy and quiet beginnings, the women have become proud and confident firefighters.
Resolute and steadfast courage
The devastating fire that tore through the left flank of Cape Town’sTable Mountain in 2021 is forever etched in the memory of South Africans who witnessed as the flames tore through centuries of Cape Town’s iconic university and left many in fear for their lives.
However, amidst the relentless onslaught of fire, 12 courageous women from the Juliet Crew, affectionately known as the Juliets, showed unwavering courage in the face of adversity.
“The smoke was so thick,” recalls 26-year-old firefighter Tarren January, describing the intensity of the blaze. “As we hiked up to the fire line, there was so much smoke. The wind was terrible, so terrible that at one point we had to back down.” Tarren is just one member of the Juliet Crew, South Africa’s first and all-female wildland firefighting unit.
Since its inception in 2019, this team of mostly young women from working-class backgrounds has played a vital role in combating some of the country’s worst-ever wildfires, saving countless lives and millions of dollars’ worth of property.
Zimasa Khana, another member of the crew who fought the flames alongside Tarren on that terrifying blaze in April, emphasises the importance of teamwork in firefighting. “Fighting fires is all about teamwork,” she says. “You are never one person and always part of a team. That means you can’t do things alone and always have to ensure you have a back-up – and provide back-up for others.”
Buhle Tebekwana, a longstanding member of the team, recalls her first experience battling wildfires in January 2019. “It was very hectic,” she says. “But we managed to fight the fire.”
Dean, the founder of the Juliet Crew, says he is so proud of the Juliets. “They have done some incredible work,” he says. While the women currently work together in one unit, his aim has always been to train the Juliet Crew and scatter them among other units, which tend to be male-dominated.
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Smashing traditional gender roles is a driving force for Zimasa. “I want to prove people wrong about what they think women can and can’t do,” she explains. “It hasn’t been easy dealing with community responses. Some people expect that women won’t be able to do this type of job.”
Despite facing scepticism, the Juliets remain undeterred. “Being a firefighter is not easy, but I love it,” says Buhle. Passion and dedication are prerequisites for anyone who wants to join this top-class unit, according to Dean. “If you’re simply looking for a job, this is not the field for you,” he asserts. “Being physically and mentally fit is critical.” While the women have only known each other for a few years, they consider themselves sisters rather than colleagues. “We live together from Monday to Friday and go home on Saturday to Sunday,” says Tarren. “We have become very close.” Having a permanent base would greatly enhance the Juliets’ operations, allowing them to be on standby and deployed more efficiently.
Since their heroic efforts during the Devil’s Peak fire, the crew has garnered significant media attention, with a documentary in the works. Despite the challenges they face, the Juliets remain determined to inspire others.
Sharne Martiz, who forms part of this amazing all-female team, says that she has a new drive for the future.
“In my community, we deal with a lot of gang violence, teenage pregnancy, youth unemployment and a high rate of poverty. Being part of this team has not only taken me away from my daily life, it has given me more drive for my future, she says.”
“There are many young women and girls who look up to us,” says Tarren. “What I can say to them is that they should not let their dream of becoming a firefighter go to waste. Go for it, and aim higher. Don’t let people tell you otherwise.”
For Vuyiseka Arendse, aged 26, who found her calling as part of South Africa’s inaugural all-female wildland firefighting team and jumped at an opportunity presented by NCC Environmental Services, the advice rings true: “Don’t be defined by what people say you can and can’t do.”
Funding and Infrastructure Challenges for the Juliet Crew
While NCC Environmental Services employs the Juliet Crew and covers basic salaries and operational costs, the team faces significant funding challenges due to the lack of a formal contract. Reliant on donations and public support, the crew has received crucial assistance, including a crew transporter and initial start-up costs for essential equipment.
However, one major logistical hurdle remains for the all-women crew: the need for a permanent home. Currently housed at the Vergelegen NCC Fire Base, which primarily accommodates male quarters, the crew requires a sustainable solution to continue operations. Without a dedicated base, the Juliet Crew faces safety risks, as daily travel with equipment leaves them exhausted and vulnerable after fire fighting missions.
Looking ahead, the crew’s ultimate goal extends beyond being the sole all-female unit. Instead, they aim to normalise women’s presence in firefighting, envisioning a future where they are recognised simply as firefighters, devoid of gender labels.
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