Two weeks after a fire ravaged homes in Mooiwater, Franschhoek, residents are still struggling to rebuild. This is according to Nicolene Barends, a resident of 5 Daisy Street in Mooiwater.
Residents of 5 Daisy Street in Mooiwater, Franschhoek, continue to rebuild after a fire destroyed their homes on 12 April. This photograph was taken on 19 April, a week after the fire. PHOTO: Reid Donson
The fire occurred in the middle of the night on Saturday, 12 April, according to Christiaan Jafthas, an electrical assistant for Stellenbosch Municipality, who owns 5 Daisy Street and rents out part of the property to others.
“The cause of [the] fire remains unknown at this stage,” said Stuart Grobbelaar, communications manager for Stellenbosch Municipality, in correspondence with SMF News.
Jafthas said that he was woken up at around 02:00 by his baby, Oliver, who needed his bottle. Jafthas found his property in flames.
Rebecca Jafthas sits with her baby, Oliver, in front of their home on 5 Daisy Street, which burned down on 12 April. Rebecca Jafthas said that they did not have time to save any of their belongings from the flames. PHOTO: Reid Donson
“Stellenbosch Municipality’s Fire Services were dispatched at approximately 2:30 and successfully extinguished the fire by 5:30,” said Grobbelaar. “In total, 15 backyard structures and 3 formal private houses were affected, impacting the lives of 51 residents.”
While Stellenbosch Municipality visited the victims in the days after the fire, the municipality has indicated that they cannot assist in rebuilding the property, said Jafthas.
Christiaan Jafthas stands on the scorched remains of his property on 19 April, following a fire that occurred there a week prior. “It’s a battle for me,” said Jafthas. He said that when he and his wife, Rebecca, go to bed at night, they can see the moon and the stars above them because they no longer have a roof. PHOTO: Reid Donson
“While [Stellenbosch] Municipality provides support, fire kits, and facilities donations, it is important to note that we cannot rebuild privately-owned homes,” said Grobbelaar, who also said that temporary shelter was provided at Lord’s Acre Christian Community Centre.
“They say that it’s not the RDP [Reconstruction and Development Programme] houses, it’s private property, that’s why,” said Barends. “But think about the people that [were] staying [in Jafthas’] yard. What about them?”
External support
Meanwhile, multiple non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have assisted in relief efforts, including Gift of the Givers, according to Pheiffer in a Facebook post on 13 April.
The remains of 5 Daisy Street, a week after the fire that ravaged the property on 12 April. PHOTO: Reid Donson
“Our teams did immediate relief in terms of hot meals and water,” said Ali Sablay, Gift of the Givers’ project manager, in correspondence with SMF News. “Once they are placed in permanent housing or in temporary housing, we will provide each family with a food parcel and [a] non-perishable food hamper.”
Claredene Boonzaaier, Jafthas’ daughter, said that Pheiffer has also helped a lot, trying to get sponsors and providing children with stationery packs.