Thembisa Shologu
Premier Panyaza Lesufi has dispelled reports that the launch of The Green Angels Emergency Care Internship Programme which is part of the Nasi iSpani is an electioneering stunt.
During the launch at Change Bible Church in Katlehong, Ekurhuleni, Premier Lesufi further reiterated that it was incorrect that only people affiliated with the governing party were employed since the inception of the Nasi Ispani programme.
About 1120 emergency care interns who have successfully completed a rigorous assessment process to join the Green Angels received their official appointment letters.
This 12-month is aimed at expanding the pool of qualified individuals in the emergency services sector.
“I am proud that today I am removing you from the list of the unemployed and that at the end of the month and the consecutive months you will be receiving R5000 as part of your training stipend.
“The Gauteng Provincial Government has taken you out of unemployment, taken you out from the world of hand-outs and brought you to the world of doing things for yourself.
“Don’t believe them when they say we are doing this because 29 May is coming, we are doing this because we are ‘gatvol’ with unemployment and whoever wants to discredit us and say we are creating meaningless jobs, I say they must come speak to one of you and they will know the pain of waking up every day with nothing to do,” said Lesufi.
Welcoming them on the job, he urged the new recruits to take this opportunity with both hands.
Lesufi emphasised the importance of remembering where people came from, the importance of bettering the lives of their families and protecting them.
“Just under a month ago all of you were unemployed, desperate, uncertain, believing that this country has failed you. A month ago, you were very angry, you relied on hand outs and believing that some other people must assist you to survive.
“A month ago, all of you did not trust anything called government or leadership. A month ago, you felt that we betrayed you, we betrayed your life, we betrayed your future, we betrayed everything that you believed in. A month ago you believed that this country was doomed,” said the Premier.
Gauteng Emergency Management Services (EMS) Acting Chief Director, Reuben Ruiters said the interns will also make a meaningful impact on the lives of those in need of emergency medical care in the province.
Adding that they will further be expose to an intense orientation programme where serve with a smile campaign which is their foundation will be broken down to the interns, how they conduct themselves and how they treat people.
“You must remember why you are here; we have a slogan that we live by and that we must honour, it says ‘we serve, we care and we belong’.
“You must remember that you will be wearing the green uniform in which you are going to be serving, you will also be required to care for those that are in need those that will be waiting for you to come and help them, and most importantly you must remember to that you belong in EMS, in the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) and you belong to the communities,” said Ruiters.
Dr Masemetse Baholo from EMS Wellness added that the new recruits should embrace their new path.
Dr Baholo further encouraged the interns to serve communities with humility and aspire to make a difference.
“Today marks a new beginning for you and I can imagine that this new step has brought with it a lot of excitement and a hope of things changing for the better in your lives.
“It is a privileged position to be in service of others in our community, immerse yourself with acquiring new skills, learn how to fit in with your colleagues in this new environment and learn how to juggle the different roles that you would be given including the training. Always be open to new opinions and never be discouraged,” said Baholo.
SOURCED FROM THE GPG WEBSITE.
