LUGANDA families in Mariannhill were left homeless after Friday night’s heavy rains and storm, which wreaked havoc around Durban.
The community was left in the dark as the electricity was disconnected and has not been reinstated by Monday, 29 February.
The roads were covered with tree branches and the water was cut off from Friday night and returned on Sunday morning. Some of the houses were left with no roof and other windows were smashed by trees and others by the strong wind.
Nonhlanhla Gwamanda, whose house was also damaged by the storm, said it is by God’s grace that they are all still alive. Gwamanda resides with her five children aged 17, 12, five, three and 18 months. There is also her grandchild, who is one week old.
“We heard strong winds, which led to the roof falling down. We tried to run out of the house but we could not open the front door. We had to use the back door to flee to our neighbour’s house.
“We did not see what happened after that as I was not brave enough to come out, the storm was terrible and very scary.”
Gwamanda said she only went back to the house in the morning to check the damage.
“Everything was damaged and wet including important documents (birth certificates and IDs) and the school’s books,” she said.
The Gwamanda family are currently living in one of the neighbouring houses. Boy Cloete, who has provided shelter for the Gwamanda family and is also the Luganda community leader, said there are many families whose house were destroyed by the storm.
“Most of them were left without food and their clothes damaged. We have spoken to eThekwini disaster management about housing to assist the families and inspect the damage that was done.”
Cloete said they would appreciate any assistance to help the families. Anyone who wish to assist the Luganda families can contact Boy Cloete on 073 272 9961 or Nonhlanhla Gwamanda on 063 089 1970.
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