Fire destroys youngster’s birthday dreams

Thousands of people are in need of assistance as they try to rebuild their homes which went up in flames on Monday night (September 30) in Max informal settlement in Great North Road.

“It is alleged that someone was cooking and strong wind knocked the pot over and started a fire, which then spread,” said Kempton Park SAPS’ Lt Col Sinothi Ndaba.

“The fire started at around 6.20pm and emergency services from Johannesburg, Kempton Park and Benoni assisted because it spread quickly and was difficult to contain.”

According to Ndaba, no casualties were reported.

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While the residents are trying to rebuild, young Landile Mbobo (12) is burdened by the loss of his home and the celebration of his birthday.

“I turn 12 today and I was looking forward to celebrating my birthday with my family,” the youngster said.

“My mother promised to buy a cake for me to celebrate after school and now we have nothing.

“This is a terrible way to spend my birthday.”

Landile’s mother, Portia Mbobo, said she has lived in the informal settlement for 10 years with her children.

“We have lost everything. I have a two-year-old son who needs milk and nappies, and my other three boys have no food or clothes,” she said.

“All of our belongings have been burnt. We spent the night here because we have nowhere to go, and this was my home.”

According to Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) media liaison officer Aaron Mafunda, over 200 shacks were destroyed.

“We want to take the people to a place of safety in Kempton Park, but most of their belongings are here which they do not want to leave,” he explained.

While others sat on the roadside, Lidea Mafala sat on her chair in the area she once called home.

“All my clothes were burnt, my whole house destroyed and the only clothes I have are the ones I am wearing,” she said.

“We really need help here; I lived here with my husband and two children for 13 years.”

Paulina Molefe (59) has no family to comfort her during this time.

“I live alone. I have no family here and my home was all I had,” she said.

“I am so hungry and all I managed to save were two blankets and a few dresses.

“I have nobody to help me to rebuild, but I need my home or else I will sleep outside again tonight.”

The informal settlement was not only a place of residence; it was also a place for an early childhood development centre.

“We were working with a social worker to register the crèche,” said one of the helpers, Saloma Sekloka.

“Everything in the crèche was destroyed, such as our desks and chairs.

“We need help to rebuild because the children need a place to go when their parents are at work.”

Anyone who can help donations of food, clothing and materials to build can drop these at:

• Inner-City Ministry, corner Woburn Avenue and Kimbolton Street.

• NG Kerk, 32 Malpensa Avenue, Bonaero Park.

Residents can also contact Sheryl Devine, from Benoni CPF, on 082 612 5909 for CPF drop-off points.