The Juliet Crew, an all-women wildland firefighting project, has been nominated as a finalist in the Eco-Logic Awards for The Eco Warrior Award category.
It is one of several Constantia valley organisations and individuals in the running for the awards (“Constantia valley groups in running for eco awards”, Bulletin October 21).
The project is the brainchild of Dean Ferreira, managing director of NCC Environmental Services, based in Westlake.
“Currently women are not adequately represented in this sector globally with many people still believing that firefighting is not a suitable occupation for women,” says Mr Ferreira.
NCC is attempting to address this in the Western Cape while simultaneously providing life-changing opportunities to vulnerable youth. “Over time, they will stand shoulder to shoulder – not male or female, just firefighters,” says Mr Ferreira.
Most of the crew come from previously disadvantaged backgrounds, many of them are the breadwinners for their families. The majority live in Khayelitsha, while others are from Mfuleni, Philippi, Lavender Hill, Bonteheuwel and Macassar.
Visit www.eco-logicawards.com to watch the awards between 2pm and 5pm on Wednesday November 3.
