Pretoria - Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality will take a new coal fire making method to all its communities to help prevent pollution of the environment and reduce the dangers associated with winter fires.
The new method, which is hailed for its scientifically proven ability to reduce emissions by 80 percent, was revealed on Thursday in Etwatwa by Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Rejoice Mabudafhasi, during the launch of the Winter Clean Fires campaign.
The "Basa Njengo Magogo" [make fire like the granny] method is aimed at reducing outdoor pollution, which results from burning coal, especially at low-income households or settlements.
Basa Njengo Magogo is a 'top-down' model of making coal fire discovered by Granny Maria Nobelungu Mashinini of eMbalenhle in Secunda.
Unlike the popular traditional way, the new method is done by putting coal first, then paper, followed by wood and then lighting the fire. When the wood catches fire, one puts a handful of coal on top to ignite the coal at the bottom.
Speaking at the launch, Mabudafhasi called on communities to be ambassadors of the new methodology, especially in Ekurhuleni and Johannesburg.
A study has revealed that 56 percent of respiratory hospital admissions in the areas were estimated to result from domestic coal burning.
"With this method, the fire in the stove or imbawula (self-made movable stoves) will be ready for use much sooner. It will save you coal and money, it will burn longer, your health will improve and you will be able to see longer distances due to the massive reduction of smoke emissions," said Mabudafhasi.
The method is being rolled out in Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Free State, where coal use is at the highest.
Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality's acting Executive Mayor, Vuyelwa Mabena, warned communities that the new method does not suggest that people may sleep with the Imbawula in the house because it is dangerous to do so, even with the reduced smoke emission.
"We have appointed 16 volunteers who will be taking the training to all the communities who have the need to be aware of the new method. We also want to ensure that this practice is sustained through to the next generation," Mabena said.
Granny Mashinini said she learnt to make fire in this manner when she was 11-years old from the elders.
"They would tell me that I must make the fire using the method to protect the young children from inhaling smoke, which brings many sicknesses and now that you know the method too, spread the word so that you may save many lives and protect our environment," said Mashinini.
