When a total of 10 structures were burned down in the Overhills Informal Settlement in Kleinmond recently, more than 30 people (including children) were affected by the devastating early morning blaze.
A number of concerned citizens and organisations gathered in support of the community by collecting blankets, clothing, foodstuff, building materials etc that was in turn handed over to the victims by Kleinmond’s Ward 10 Cllr Fanie Krige, Senior Manager Desmond Lakey and Overhills Committee Chairperson Christian Thobeko Msheqo on Friday, 6 October 2017.
These efforts included a considerable donation of knitted blankets provided by Ald Nicolette Botha-Guthrie’s special project at the Kidbrooke Frail Care Centre, made at the hands of staff members and some of its residents; the provision of clothing and blankets from the Kleinmond Church Group; as too food items and more blankets given by the director of the NG Kerk Wes-Kaap se Sentrum vir Publieke Getuienis.
Moreover, the Overstrand Municipality has supplied building materials consisting of poles and sheets of corrugated iron.Already on the day of the fire the employer of one of the victims, Mr Maphaka, provided materials and other support to ensure his structure was rebuilt and he could sleep in his own place again that evening.
The Overstrand Municipality would like to extend its immense gratitude to all who stepped up to assist those residents affected by the Overhills fire in their time of need.