While we were hunting for Easter eggs and soaking up family time, South Africa’s real heroes were out saving lives… sacrificing their holidays to keep the rest of us safe.
South Africa (21 April 2025) – While many of us spent the Easter weekend sharing laughs over roast lamb, dodging chocolate hangover, and soaking up some much-needed downtime, there were South African heroes who didn’t get to press pause.
They were on the roads. In ambulances. On the other end of emergency calls. They were the first responders, doing the most, behind the scenes, while the rest of us enjoyed a break.
As the country begins to wind down from the long weekend, it’s worth taking a moment to recognise the men and women of all our emergency services who spent the holidays running towards the things most of us run from.
“Being a paramedic is more than administering medication or stabilising a fracture,” says Craig Grindell, managing director of Netcare 911 and a seasoned paramedic with over 30 years on the job.
“It’s about having the compassion to connect with someone in their moment of greatest need, the courage to face unimaginable scenes and the commitment to put others first.”
And it’s not just Easter. Or long weekends. Or public holidays. The reality is this: emergencies don’t follow calendars. This is why many emergency operations centres are fully staffed, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year, ready to offer expert guidance and have calm, steady voices until help arrives.
So, what does it take to be one of these everyday superheroes?
According to Grindell, it’s not just the technical know-how, solid training, or lightning-fast reflexes. It’s something deeper: “What truly sets a paramedic apart is the sense of vocation and the deep-seated desire to serve others… resilient people who can think on their feet and handle rapidly evolving situations.”
And serve they do. Whether it’s giving up family time to respond to a collision, or calmly walking someone through CPR over the phone, these responders are always ready.
“Each emergency services member is fully prepared to make the sacrifice of missing their child’s Easter egg hunt to be on the scene of a serious accident,” Grindell says.
“That’s the commitment we’re talking about.”
If you ever find yourself in an emergency, Grindell wants to remind South Africans that Netcare 911 is just a phone call away (dial 082 911) or, better yet, download the Netcare App.
“It includes location tracking, emergency call features, and even a callback option within 60 seconds.”
But they’re not the only ones looking after us. Here are five other essential emergency apps and numbers worth downloading or saving today:
ER24 – 084 124
App: ER24 Emergency App
Offers direct access to emergency medical services, including geolocation features.
South African Police Service (SAPS) – 10111
App: MySAPS App
Lets users report crimes, find stations, and stay informed.
Fire and Rescue Services (Nationwide) – 10177
Most municipalities use this as the direct emergency number for fire-related incidents and medical emergencies. Save it. It could save a life.
Arrive Alive – 0861 400 800
App: Arrive Alive Road Safety
Offers road safety tips, incident reporting, and accident assistance.
Namola – App only
A brilliant community safety app that lets you share your location and call for help at the tap of a button. Links you directly to emergency services or community responders.
Grindell also reminds South Africans how crucial it is to stay on the line during an emergency: “Never hang up on the emergency operator and stay on the line for instructions or directions until the ambulance arrives. We can guide you through what to do to assist the person in need.”
And to all the emergency services teams out there, from SAPS and firefighters to nurses, doctors, dispatchers, and those quiet heroes behind the wheel of an ambulance, this one’s for you.
You may not wear capes. But you carry lives.
And we see you.
Thank you.
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