Fire Fighter - Transkei Stories

Fire Fighter - Almost Burned Alive!
In 2010 Nandipha Makhinayisi (Maxhanga!) was severely burned in a fire that was probably started by an unattended paraffin stove or candle. Her brother, Msawenkosi, was also burned in the fire.
Msawenkosi died from his wounds.
Nandipha, who was 10 years old at the time, remained in hospital for 6 months.
In some rural areas of South Africa where there is no electricity supply, or electricity is too expensive, fires are easily started by paraffin stoves or candles.
In this film, Fire Fighter, you meet Nandipha just as I did. I found her, her mother and her sister, fighting a grass fire that was threatening their homestead. The fire had been lit by herdsmen to encourage the growth of sweet green grass for their cattle. This is a common practice in the Transkei and can be dangerous when the winds are high like they were on that day.
Nandipha had been up since before sunrise fighting the fire. They were all exhausted. Nandipha told me her story which is relayed through the film.
Nandipha’s scars used to be much worse than they are now. With the help and support of family friends, Nandipha received plastic surgery in 2014 and completed her schooling in 2022.
Nandipha's dream is to get more plastic surgery, and become a teacher. This film has helped a little towards realising that dream. But there is still much to achieve.
Nandipha’s story has only just begun.
Watch pt 2 of Firefighter, coming out soon, to find out where Nandipha's journey takes her.
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