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Health Approach Solutions NPC founder Thabiso Nzama started a WhatsApp group in 2020 that led to the creation of Security Cares – South Africa, a national programme aimed at counselling security officers.

“When security officers were declared essential workers during the Covid-19 pandemic, I started a WhatsApp group, offering health tips and support to the officers.”

“We have now started this initiative on a full-time basis. This programme is the first of its kind and follows a well-structured and coordinated partnership approach. Although we already have security officers in this program, we want to make it more structured, which is why we are inviting security companies to sign up for partnership,” he said.

Nzama, now a human resources practitioner and neuroscience coach, said the role and responsibilities of security officers were “huge” and often taken for granted.

“The responsibilities of security officers are often overlooked despite being enormous. Having worked as a security guard myself, I understand how these professionals are treated by our society and the risks and challenges they face in their workplaces.”

“Unfortunately, little is being done to support their health and well-being. It is unfair to expect security officers to be proactive and observant at work while their mental health is not being looked after. Therefore, there is a need for change in the policies to implement mental health support in the sector,” he said.

In addition, security guards may suffer from psychological trauma as a result of the demands and pressures associated with their job.

“When criminals attempt to break in and steal, the first line of defence are the officers. However, they are often targeted by criminals and many of them lack the necessary resources to defend themselves, making them even more vulnerable. Some officers are unable to take their medications for chronic diseases due to their off days not coinciding with their health facility visits. It’s a traumatic experience to wake up every day not knowing what might happen to your life. Unfortunately, some security firms are not equipped to deal with these traumatic experiences and hiring an external practitioner to assist is often a significant barrier.”

Nzama has urged security companies to support the initiative.

“By collaborating, we can enhance the mental health of security officers, benefiting the sector,” he said.

The first phase of the programme is expected to commence soon in Gauteng.

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The duo will be wearing their full firefighting gear, including their self-containing breathing apparatus (SCBA) which weighs 10kg.

This will be the third time the seasoned firefighters take on the race in their uniforms, and the second year that they are raising awareness and funds on behalf of the Volunteer Wildfire Service (VWS).

Last year, they raised R181000 for VWS.

Alderman JP Smith, the mayoral committee member for safety and security, expressed his gratitude to VWS and the pair.

“Jermaine and Renaldo have generated such goodwill and positivity with this initiative, and we are hoping for a similar outpouring of support this year. Cape Town has had one of the most extraordinary wildfire seasons in history, and it has pushed firefighting agencies to the limit. We would have been far worse off without the members of the Volunteer Wildfire Services, working side by side with career firefighters on the frontline, to protect lives and property.”

“The city is incredibly grateful to VWS, and we’re immensely proud of Jermaine and Renaldo for their efforts to drum up support for the organisation. I am confident that Capetonians will throw their weight behind our firefighters, and VWS,” he said.

VWS is a registered NGO that relies on public and corporate donations to cover its operating costs.

It costs at least R7 500 to train each volunteer firefighter, and equip them with basic Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Volunteers are required to purchase their own backpacks, fire boots, water and nutrition that is needed while fighting fires.

VWS CEO Claire Lötter said the biggest expense at the moment was vehicles, with the oldest being a 28-year-old Land Rover.

“You’ll see our bright yellow vehicle running around the mountain during times of disaster, ferrying eight volunteers at a time. The cost of maintaining our ageing fleet is draining our resources and we are desperately trying to reduce this burden. All of us at VWS are deeply appreciative of Jermaine and Renaldo’s selfless act of running this marathon again on our behalf to raise much needed funds. We will be there, both at the starting line and the finish line, to cheer them on,” she said.

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