After the tragic fire incident in Broadwalk Urban Village, concerned Midrand residents immediately created a WhatsApp group to help the survivors.
The fire gutted the building on September 24, leaving a 33-year-old woman dead and hundreds stranded for accommodation.
Read more: Boulders Shopping Centre donates goods worth R14 000 to Broadwalk Urban Village fire victims
The WhatsApp group, Midrand fire victims assistance, saw local people and others from afar, showing their empathy and love towards the survivors.
The group had managed to raise a staggering R240 000 and bought items for survivors who received essentials to re-start their lives, including mattresses, blankets, and food items.
The gift-giving ceremony took place at Vorna Valley’s The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on October 5. The residents worked with the church, Rivers Church and Foundation, and many other donors.
Lebogang Shovhote, one of the founders of the WhatsApp group, said she had no words to describe the love shown by all the donors and how well the day went.
“Firstly, we managed to raise R240 000. 130 families were affected by the fire, and we can humbly say no family was left behind. Everyone affected has been provided for and it has been done in abundance. It is only God. When we started the project, we thought that we would only need clothing and some food. Never did we imagine that this would be such a success. We are truly humbled,” said Shovhote.
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She said they would like to thank all the people who got involved in one way or another to make the gift-giving ceremony the success that it was.
Managing director of Rivers Church and Foundation Nuska Zwane donated two mattresses per family, two blankets, one bucket with toiletries, and some essentials.
“So, we see you as our family, and we are grateful that God has led us to meet you. We see you as survivors and not victims because you have survived the fire. We are just children of God, coming together to help one another in these difficult times. This should be a lesson to everyone here that we should help one another,” said Zwane.
Midrand branch president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Olwethu Gobeni said as the church they were happy that everything went well and they managed to help the fire survivors.
“It’s been overwhelming to see the love shown by the Midrand community and all other donors. We managed to help all the families with essentials without leaving anyone out. The two greatest components and commandments as taught by our Lord and Savior, is to love the Lord with all your heart and also your neighbour as you love yourself. And today, we witnessed that love shown to the Midrand Fire survivors,” added Gobeni.
One of the Broadwalk Urban Village leaders and spokesperson, Berrie Munonoka, who has been a resident for three years, said, “I think the donations will come as a big relief to many families who were carrying the burden of not having food. The gift-giving went very well because every one received what they needed.”
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