CAPE TOWN - The Collen Mashawana Foundation in partnership with the Department of Social Development has pledged to renovate the homes of two New Crossroads families which went up in flames due to an electric fault earlier this year.
The fire in September started in the main bedroom from a plug where the 85-year-old Nongayithini Fass was with her 11-year-old grandchild.
The fire quickly spread to the home of their neighbours Mafune Bangindawo, 59 and Mkhulu Bangindawo, 70, who live with their five grandchildren.
Both families survived the blaze and now live at their neighbours homes in temporary structures.
Fass had just renovated her kitchen when the fire occurred.
Collen Mashawana Foundation spokesperson Nomaphelo Xapa said the processes of rebuilding the houses are under way.
“The fire started when Fass was in the bedroom and she was struggling to walk out but fortunately she was saved by her grandchildren who were at the house. They then called the residents but the fire was fast spreading to the next house. The house next door also has elderly people who live with their grandchildren. We received a call from the Kasi Angels foundation and they urged us to come and assess the house and help where we can.
“After we have seen the damage, we have made a pledge that we will rebuild the two houses and buy everything including the furniture. The rebuilding of houses might take about three to four weeks but we have contacted a contractor and now we will get back to them to finalise everything.
“The granny’s situation is very bad, they live in a one room container, they are all congested in one room whereas they are coming from a proper house,” said Xapa.
Social development Minister Lindiwe Zulu said the department will work closely with the foundation to ensure that the project is completed.
“The foundation assists people who have found themselves in vulnerable situations. They have been building houses across the country but they target the elderly, child headed homes and disabled people in particular. Today, they came to see the amount of the damage and after assessing it they have vowed to rebuild. As the department we are partnering with them because the kind of work they do is in line with the work of the department such as assisting the vulnerable families but of course building houses is not our responsibility. The other house was affected due to heavy wind and fire spread all over the place,” said Zulu.
The families expressed their thanks to the Foundation and department.