Tavaziva Madzinga, our Group CEO, today was a guest of the Winelands Fire Protection Association (WFPA) & Quick Reaction Force (QRF), which hosted him for an introductory visit of their operations.
The WFPA is a voluntary organisation that assists with the identification of high-risk areas and assisting with mitigation of these risks in the Cape Winelands region. Using helicopters, the principal purpose of the WFPA is to protect lives, property and livelihoods. The association reacts to any fire event within a 50 km range around Stellenbosch as quickly as possible, suppresses it and allows ground units to mop-up and secure the area. Santam, in partnership with other insurers, is a sponsor of the WFPA, which ensures the Winelands region is protected against fire and other natural hazards.
βAs South Africaβs largest short-term insurer, we are daily witnessing the consequences of climate change. We have seen a significant increase in weather-related catastrophes over the last couple of years. There is no doubt that climate change is posing serious risks to the stability and quality of human society, and our economy. Santam has engaged on meaningful partnerships with the WFPA and many other community-based organisations across the country to ensure we formulate responses that best mitigate against what is happening to our planet,β said Madzinga.