A fire raged through the informal settlement of Khayelitsha burning down over 1000 shacks and leaving 4000 people displaced but South Africans are coming to their rescue.
Seventeen firefighting vehicles and 85 firefighters arrived on scene to help fight the blaze that spread through Khayelitsha during the early hours of Saturday morning. Due to high winds, the fire spread through Town Two and destroyed a reported 1000 shacks.
This is the first fire of the summer season and it has been a tragic one, with one life already being lost. A plea has been made for donations of water, food and children’s clothing to be sent to help the families displaced.
JP Smith‚ the City of Cape Town mayoral committee member for safety and security has confirmed that gifts and donations could be dropped at Khayelitsha fire station in Mandela Park. According to the Triangle Project, a non-profit organisation, based in Cape Town, the following places are also accepting any donations.
- Malibongwe Restaurant, Corner of New Road & Spine,
- Lookout Hill Tourism Centre, Khayelitsha
- Roeland Street Fire Station, CPT (Open 24hrs)
- Colosseum Hotel, CPT: CNR Century Way & Century Blvd, Century City, CPT
- Khayelitsha Fire Station
- 129 Rochester Road, Observatory
Since Saturday, the Gift of the Givers have pledged R2-million in aid for the victims of the fire.
“Depending on what disaster management gives them, we will then augment that with our own building material. So, all that effectively will be far more than R2 million. We are giving them food right now, as the days go by we will see what else is necessary.” – Imtiaz Sooliman, Gift of the Givers
All donations for the hundreds of #KhayelitshaFire victims can be dropped off at the Khayelitsha fire station in Mandela Park. Please spread the word. City of Cape Town says it’ll deliver rebuilding kits tomorrow morning [V: CoCT] @OpenNewsSA pic.twitter.com/qfE4fXd8aT
— Rauby (@GraemeRauby) October 20, 2018
Pick n Pay have also come forward as a place to drop off donations.
“We are devasted to hear about the victims of #KhayelitshaFire. Our stores in Khayelitsa and surrounding areas are helping to provide cooked meals, water, energy drinks and grocery items to assist those affected and to the on-site disaster management teams.”
“Collection trollies have been set up in our Cape Town stores if you’d like to donate items such as blankets, towels, nappies, baby food, groceries and toiletries.”
In the face of disaster and tragedy, look for the heroes!
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