COMMUNITY leader Mandla Wonka’s grateful to motorists and Somalians who donated food to fire victims in Nyhunyhwini Squatter Camp.
The food was donated a few hours after the fire, which was allegedly started by drug addicts, broke out on Wednesday (13 January) in the kasi in Brown’s Farm Philippi.
“Motorists who were passing by contributed whatever money they could afford. We’re grateful to them because it shows there is still ubuntu among our people,” said Mandla.
He told Daily Sun Somalian businesspeople also assisted with bread and drinks.
“We are grateful to them because we didn’t have anything to eat as we lost everything in that fire,” he said.
Mandla said they need help because most of the residents don’t have money to buy building material.
“We are asking anyone to assist us. It could be clothes, food, stationery or building material because we have kids that lost their stationery and uniform and there is no money to buy new things,” he said.
Mandla said people had already received and used their grant money on uniform and stationery.
He also said he doesn’t know how the fire was stopped.
“I was here and it was only two shacks that were on fire. “I never thought it will end up destroying everything.”
Mandla said they rushed to the shack where the fire started but they couldn’t get in.
“It was too strong because even the firefighters came and still the fire continued destroying everything,” he said.
Siyolise Themba (34) said motorists, including Avanza drivers, made a huge difference.
“I never thought they would do this because they love money. But they contributed, along with Quantum drivers and those who were driving private cars,” he said.
Jermaine Carelse, spokesman for Fire and Services, said they received an emergency call at 12.24pm of informal structures alight on Sheffield Road in Philippi Brown’s Farm.
“Several resources were initially dispatched to the incident which included three fire engines, two water tankers, and a rescue vehicle with 21 staff members.”
