Khayamandi residents were exposed to the elements after a severe fire gutted around 250 shacks in the township at the weekend.
The South African Weather Service warned of extreme weather conditions last week and by Saturday (6 April) strong winds had spread a fire through the township.
“I lost everything. We are still waiting for the materials [to rebuild] from the municipality. We had to stay with family over the weekend,” fire victim Phumzile Mastandi said on Tuesday.
He is one of hundreds of other locals who lost everything in the inferno.
Stuart Grobbelaar, spokesperson for Stellenbosch Municipality, said no injuries or loss of life were reported.
“On Saturday morning, a fire broke out in Zone-O, Khayamandi. Thanks to the swift response of 21 firefighters, the blaze was extinguished by Saturday evening. Total pump time at the scene was seven hours. Unfortunately, approximately 250 structures were destroyed, affecting approximately 1 000 people,” he explained.
Grobbelaar said the cause of the fire was still undetermined.
Shoprite and Gift of the Givers jumped in to help displaced residents by providing hot meals through the Shoprite Mobile Soup Kitchens. Mattresses, blankets and sanitary packs were also handed out by the disaster response and humanitarian NGO.
Since the weekend the municipality has issued fire kits to help affected residents rebuild structures.
“Surveying our disaster-stricken municipality has shown us the urgent need for disaster assistance in many areas. We have been inundated with offers of support from residents, churches, and businesses eager to donate and help,” Grobbelaar added.
StellCare director Bettie Nieuwoudt said it’s shocking to think so many shacks were housed on such a small tract of land. “We spoke to one lady who said eight people lived with her in one shack,” she said. “The fire has been devastating. We are looking to coordinate with all role players to provide aid in a centralised, focused way so that we can help the residents for as long as possible.”
Sponsors have reached out with help specifically for the children of O-Zone to help replace school clothes and stationery, which was all destroyed.
Following the fire, talks are also now underway to establish proper streets in O-Zone to improve access to the neighbourhood.
According to reports firefighters and emergency services battled to gain access to the area, as there was no designated streets.
By Saturday evening parts of Papegaaiberg were also alight and the historic buildings on the Blaauwklippen Wine Estate had burned to the ground. “It is with deep sadness that we share the news that Blaauwklippen Wine Estate was ravaged by a devasting fire this weekend. The fire burnt down the historic estate’s Manor House, Jonkershuis and Cathedral.
“Thanks to the heroic efforts of Blaauwklippen’s disaster management crew, staff and local Fire and Rescue Services, all guests and staff were successfully evacuated, and no injuries were sustained,” the team said in a statement.
Blaauwklippen is one of the oldest wine farms in the area, with the Jonkershuis and Manor House dating back to the 1700s. CEO of Newmark Hotels & Reserves, Neil Markovitz, confirmed that Blaauwklippen’s owners have committed to rebuild and restore the Manor House with the Newmark’s operational teams looking to assist.
In Jamestown and Pniël a wildfire also blazed Saturday. By Monday the rain was welcomed as it helped contain fires according to the Cape Winelands District Municipality.
- A drop-off point for aid has been set up at the Stellenbosch Fire Station for residents who wish to help those affected by the Khayamadi fire.
