BM Section, Khayelitsha Fire Disaster – TAC response!
On the 01 January 2013 a fire started that left about 4000 people homeless and those who lost their lives was about 5 people of which two were children . The main reason why the fire was uncontrollable was because the area is highly dense with no streets for the fire fighters to reach homes. Secondly during this time of the year Cape Town is known for are strong winds. Many families were away in the Eastern Cape for the festive season holidays and they will find no homes in Cape Town as they come back this week. Most families are now temporarily housed in the nearby community hall in Oliver Tambo “Mew Way”.
The TAC Khayelitsha office went to visit the area of disaster and we also have a local TAC branch in the area. We also immediately sent text messages to friends of TAC to donate clothes, blankets, food and anything that they can use.
We managed to locate nine of our TAC member families. These families together added up to more than 33 people including children as young as a month old. We also made a list of those in need to their chronic medications and we found 20 mostly at Ubuntu clinic.
We have set up a TAC team to support made up of:
1. Sonia Tombe in charge of distribution
2. Andile Madondile and Sr Mpumi in charge of those who need medication
3. Andile Madondile and Masa Nkawule in-charge of tracing our members and their families 4.Mthuthuzeli Dutyulwa, Micheal Hamnca and Vuyiseka in -charge of donations and pick-ups
We received donations of clothes and food from Anso Thom, Nicola Brewer, Vuyiseka Dubula, Lynette Marrian, Peter Benjamin, Carohn Cornell and their families. Thank you for their speedy response. We distributed to all the families that we managed to trace, we also received a donation of R1000 which will go towards buying school uniform of the children. Jane Letourneau donated R16 700 towards building material for the 12 families we are helping, Deena Bosch R500, Nathan Geffen R500, Dorete R150, Nicola Brewer R1000, MSF coordination office R3010 . 13 people came forward with clothes, shoes and blankets donations. Mrs Bosch will buy stationery and toiletry for 10 kids.
Please continue to support and share this message to your friends. We need more clothes, blankets, children clothes. If you have something to give, please drop off at TAC Khayelitsha office at Sulani Drive, Town one properties and contact Sonia 078 7037 666 or our office (021) 364 5489
If you wish to make a donation towards a child’s school uniform please use the TAC national account below:
- Account Details: Nedbank, Cape Town
- Account Holder: Treatment Action Campaign
- Account Number: 1009726269
- Branch Code: 100909
- Reference: BM fire or BM relief
Thank you again for your support and we will keep you updated!
