The materials distributed among fire victims in informal settlements to rebuild their shacks are not enough but “better than nothing”, says Cynthia Boqwana of Masiphumelele.
A single unemployed mother of three, Boqwana’s shack has burnt to the ground twice in less than a year in two of the many fires that have ravaged informal settlements in the city.
Boqwana’s shack was first razed in January. Last month, her shack burnt down again in a fire that left 600 people homeless and 150 shacks destroyed.
Starter packs, comprising zinc sheets, thick plastic, timber poles and nails, are handed out to fire victims by Disaster Management and the housing department.
Boqwana, who is extending her shack, said: “They gave me 10 poles, five zinc sheets, black plastic and nails. I used the sheets for the roof.”
She said she had used the wooden poles and nails for the structure and lined the walls and floor with the plastic before covering them with cardboard and vinyl.
“It (starter pack) is not enough to build another shack, so I am wasting money buying materials.”
Ward councillor Felicity Purchase said 92 starter packs were distributed to Boqwana and other Masiphumelele fire victims last month. Despite this, many residents have had to use metal sheets damaged in the fire to complete their shacks. - Cape Argus
A single unemployed mother of three, Boqwana’s shack has burnt to the ground twice in less than a year in two of the many fires that have ravaged informal settlements in the city.
Boqwana’s shack was first razed in January. Last month, her shack burnt down again in a fire that left 600 people homeless and 150 shacks destroyed.
Starter packs, comprising zinc sheets, thick plastic, timber poles and nails, are handed out to fire victims by Disaster Management and the housing department.
Boqwana, who is extending her shack, said: “They gave me 10 poles, five zinc sheets, black plastic and nails. I used the sheets for the roof.”
She said she had used the wooden poles and nails for the structure and lined the walls and floor with the plastic before covering them with cardboard and vinyl.
“It (starter pack) is not enough to build another shack, so I am wasting money buying materials.”
Ward councillor Felicity Purchase said 92 starter packs were distributed to Boqwana and other Masiphumelele fire victims last month. Despite this, many residents have had to use metal sheets damaged in the fire to complete their shacks. - Cape Argus
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