Family still picking up the pieces after blaze

“I just wanted to save my mother’s bed,” says 10-year-old Bandile Shongwe, who survived a fire last October.

The Daggafontein informal settlement resident had returned from a mall a few hours earlier with his mother, Nomusa, and younger sister when tragedy struck. Nomusa says after returning, she took her children with her to do a client’s hair nearby.

“While he played outside, I sent him to warm the water on the prima stove so he and his sister could bath because it was nearing evening.”

Nomusa says she wasn’t too worried because he was used to helping her.

“I was surprised when someone came to fetch me, telling me our shack was on fire. I panicked but didn’t think it was that bad.

“When I arrived, the man and his partner told me my son came running to them, screaming and saying, ‘I am burning. I am going to fetch my mother.’”

“They were confused by what he told them because, since it was dark, they didn’t see any signs of fire on his body.”

Nomusa says Bandile took off his T-shirt after it caught fire, but she realised his upper body had sustained burn wounds.

“Surprisingly, I saw no active fire; the bed, blankets, clothes, and cupboard were all burnt, but the prima stove and carpet were still intact.”

While waiting for the ambulance, Nomusa said her son told her he did not start the fire.

“He said that when he stepped inside, he noticed my bed was burning, and his only concern was keeping it from burning because he was afraid I would be upset with him.”

Nomusa adds that doctors said they didn’t think her son would survive after he suffered second- and third-degree burns and 21% smoke inhalation.

“He was in a coma for a few days before being transferred to Charlotte Maxeke Hospital for further treatment.

“It was devastating to watch him on machines and covered in bandages, fighting for his life. With him being asthmatic, his breathing was also affected by the tubes inserted in his throat.”

She said her son started learning to walk again in December after two months of confinement to bed.

Over the last few months, Bandile has frequented Charlotte Maxeke Hospital for treatment of a skin graft, which his mother believes also uplifted his self-esteem.

The Grade Five learner from Thembalikazulu Primary School wishes to return to school and live life like his peers.