Zikhaya Sithole (41), a man who survived burns from Orange Farm in Johannesburg, is now teaching others how to avoid getting burnt this winter.
Sithole teamed up with the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH), along with other groups like the Johannesburg Disaster Management Center and Burns Shield. They went into Johannesburg CBD to teach folks about using electricity and fire safely, part of a campaign called Burns and Risks Awareness.
In Orange Farm, Sithole earned respect by rescuing a child from a burning house. But while trying to save another child, he got burned on his face and arms. He says many accidents happen when kids are left alone with candles, heaters, or stoves on.
Thanks to help from Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital’s burns unit and physiotherapists, Sithole recovered. Now, he shares his story, warning people about flammable things.
He advises folks to never leave candles or flames alone, to switch off electrical things during power cuts, and to be careful with gas cylinders. He also stresses on keeping an eye on kids around heaters and candles.
“Poor handling of electricity and gas can be very dangerous. We need to be careful,” he warns.
Most burns happen in winter when people try to stay warm with hot drinks, fires, and electric stuff like heaters and stoves.
Victor Chauke, a scientist, adds tips like blowing out candles before bed, keeping them away from flammable stuff, and being careful with gas when cooking, especially if there’s no electricity.
The World Health Organization says 300,000 people die every year from fire-related burns around the world.
By Koketso Maraba
