Residents try to rebuild after blaze
“If only I had my own home, then I would not have to worry about rebuilding my whole life, which I watched go up in smoke”.
These are the thoughts and feelings of Mr Eddie Chauke, who lost his home and business when a fire at the Jumpers Informal Settlement in Cleveland left 600 people displaced on October 3.
In addition, 180 shacks were burnt to the ground in the blaze.
Mr Chauke is one of many who lived at Jumpers who now find themselves having to pick up the pieces of their lives. He had a small public phone business and spaza shop, which he says was his only means of income.
“I’ve had to send my children to their aunt’s house because their home is no more,” said Mr Chauke. He says all the children have left are their school uniforms they were wearing at the time of the fire.
According to Mr Chauke, in such situations, the children suffer most because they cannot fully understand what has happened. He believes if people had proper housing, this could have been avoided.
“The shacks are too close to each other and without electricity. People use flammable products such as paraffin and candles,” said Mr Chauke, who is also a community leader.
He expressed his disapproval at people who use the tragedy to campaign for next year’s election.
“This is not an opportunity to convince people to vote for you. This is an opportunity to encourage the community to pull together during this time of need,” said Mr Chauke.
Another resident, Mr Fernando Mkhonto, has lived at Jumpers since 2008. He was devastated as he spoke about the aftermath of the fire.
“I have had to go around asking good Samaritans to accommodate my children. I cannot bear to see them when I’m so helpless,” said Mr Mkhonto.
He said he was struggling to rebuild his shack due to a lack of tools and material. The women at the informal settlement said they were taking it one day at a time.
“Though we slept outside on Thursday, we live in the hope that things will get better,” said Ms Bulelwa Somi, another resident of Jumpers. The women said they have had to endure the elements.
“There is a lot of wind and the threat of rain is always there in the summer season. We have also struggled with the toilets and we miss the bit of privacy we had in our shacks,” said Ms Ntombifuthi Mabaso, a resident of Jumpers for the last 14 years.
Ward 118 councillor, Clr Alison van der Molen, thanked all those who have contributed towards helping the residents of the informal settlement.
“The response has been absolutely miraculous, people have been generous,” said Clr Van der Molen.
She said the people of Jumpers have shone during a time of utter hopelessness. She said the only frustration was that she could not keep track of all the donors, but that everything was well appreciated. “One lady drove from Haartebeespoort in order to bring her donations and another couple donated R10 000,” said Clr van der Molen.
Readers who wish to contribute to relief efforts can contact Gaynor Paynter on 083 442 4689.
