Over a thousand residents were left without shelter amidst a level-9 weather warning in the Cape Winelands District after a fire tore through Kayamandi on 6 April. Cape Winelands District Municipality’s fire services, as well as the Stellenbosch Fire and Rescue team, were on scene to combat the fire.
This is according to Stuart Grobbelaar, head of communications at Stellenbosch Municipality. About 250 homes burnt down during the fire, leaving over 1 000 residents without homes, said Grobbelaar. Over 21 firefighting teams were on the scene for seven hours extinguishing fires throughout the night of 6 April, according to Grobbelaar.
Residents from Kayamandi tried to save as many of their belongings as possible during a recent fire that destroyed multiple houses. PHOTO: Millicent Nomana
“The cause of the fires are still unknown, but the municipality is aiding in rebuilding structures and hot meals for residents,” said Grobbelaar. “We are thankful for Gift of the Givers and community churchers, as well as community members who are donating.”
Millie Nomana, a resident of Kayamandi, said that her whole house burnt down. “It was a tragedy and we are all heartbroken. We lost everything and will now have to find new sheets to build a new house,” said Nomana on Saturday 6 April.
Efforts to aid the victims
Meanwhile, school halls at local government schools had been made available at local government schools to afford temporary accommodation to victims who lost their homes, said Alan Winde, premier of the Western Cape, during a digital conference on 7 April. Winde said that roof sheets left by the fire were being picked up by strong winds and could be extremely dangerous
Over 1 000 people have lost their homes in the fire, according to Stellenbosch Municipality head of communications Stuart Grobbelaar. Flames were visible from Stellenbosch Central. PHOTO: Amy Lindstrom
Suzanne Lampbrecht, who employs Nomana as a domestic worker, is facilitating a fundraiser to aid those who lost their belongings. “[Nomana’s] daughter is a first-year language and culture student at Stellenbosch University. She’s studying on a NSFAS bursary and lost her laptop and cell phone in the fire. We are blessed to bless – what we have, we must share,” said Lampbrecht.