Knysna’s community is coming together to walk, remember, and honour the people and the spirit that carried the town through one of its darkest chapters.
Knysna, South Africa (23 June 2026) – The Knysna Fire Services is inviting all residents to take part in a commemorative march on Saturday, 27 June 2026, marking nine years since the fires that devastated the town and surrounding areas in June 2017.
The march aims to reflect and pay tribute to the lives lost, to the firefighters and volunteers who ran toward the flames, and to a community that came together in the wake of real devastation.
Before the fires swept the region, it experienced a deep drought as rainfall was well below average, humidity was dangerously low, and vegetation had become bone dry. When forecasters spotted a cut-off low developing, many expected rain. Schools across the Western Cape even closed in preparation for flooding.
Instead, in the early hours of 7 June, hurricane-strength winds tore through the district at a speed never before recorded in the Southern Cape, but the rain never came.
Fires broke out simultaneously in two locations. Both were fuelled by dry plantations and dense invasive vegetation. Burning embers were thrown far ahead of the flames, which sparked new fires across fynbos, scrub forests and residential areas.
Within half an hour of crossing the Knysna River, the fire had entered the town itself. Seven people lost their lives. Around 10,000 were displaced. More than 500 homes were destroyed, with hundreds more damaged. Infrastructure damage ran to an estimated R4 to R5 billion.
Then came the part of the story that Knysna will always remember and honour.
Nearly 1200 firefighters were deployed from across the country, alongside helicopters, water bombers and spotter planes that flew 230 operational hours combined. The NSRI’s Knysna station launched its boats to ferry stranded residents and their pets across the lagoon to safety. Volunteers in 4x4s drove along the beach to reach and evacuate Brenton-on-Sea, which was cut off by road.
Gift of the Givers was on the ground almost immediately, and it brought medical teams, emergency supplies, food parcels, blankets and more. The organisation spent over R20 million in the first month alone, making Knysna the largest local disaster response in their then 25-year history.
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South Africa, We Have SO Much Good News to Share With You!The community showed up in every way imaginable. Sixty volunteers ran a donation depot out of a vacant mall shop, sorting truckloads of supplies sent from all across the country. A local resident launched a crowdfunding campaign to buy appliances and vouchers for families who had lost everything. A South African expat living in the UK raised over R300 000 to assist victims of the fire. A Facebook group set up when phone lines were still down gathered 50,000 followers within days, helping distribute over 1500 tons of donated goods and more than R3 million in cash. Knysna Tourism launched #KnysnaRises, which became a symbol of the town’s determination to rebuild in hope and unity.
Recovery was coordinated through the Garden Route Rebuild Initiative, which fast-tracked building approvals, created jobs, and laid biodegradable eco-blankets across stripped hillsides to protect the land through winter.
Knynsa and the surrounding areas rebuilt after the painful tragedy, and the region’s health came out stronger. Scarred, but stronger. The loss was never forgotten, nor the incredible acts of heroism that saw communities through.
On Saturday, 27 June, the march steps off at 10:00 from the Shell Garage on Main Road, making its way to Clyde Street. It is open to everyone.
“This commemorative march is a tribute to their bravery, to the lives tragically lost, and to the indomitable spirit of a community that chose hope over despair and unity over division. Join us as we walk together in reflection, remembrance and hope, honouring those who responded with dedication and the residents who have helped rebuild Knysna stronger, kinder and more united. Knysna remembers. Knysna heals. We will never forget.”
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