We do it out of love

Proto team captain, Sandile Masuku

Kangra’s Proto Captain Sandile Masuku joined the team over ten years ago, driven by his passion to help people. Proto is a specialised team of professionals trained by the Mine Rescue Services South Africa (MRS) to perform underground rescue and recovery missions. Proto teams all over South African mines like Kangra are called upon to assist when incidents like fall of ground or explosions at underground mines occur. “We do it out of love. That is why we say Voluntate servio, meaning voluntarily we serve,” Sandile says.

In 2023, Sandile was honoured with a 10-year Proto service award, an achievement he is proud of. Although Sandile has not had to respond to an emergency during his time as a member, he believes it is crucial to always remain disciplined and ready. “When there’s an accident or something explodes, everybody runs out, but we run in, because we want to assist the people in distress,” he remarks.

Proto members have to attend regular training to ensure they are always prepared. A typical proto team must have six people, including two with blasting tickets. The reasoning is that if one team member is injured during a mission, you need at least four people to carry the stretcher.

A mechanical foreman by profession, Sandile joined the mining industry 18 years ago after a short stint working in the paper and pulp sector. He started as a section fitter and was promoted to mechanical foreman in 2019. Sandile hopes to obtain a Government Certificate of Competency in future.