Community stands together to help fire victims
They were able to save two rooms while one room was completely burnt down
On Christmas Day a local entrepreneur and the community donated goods to a family who belongings in a blaze in Umthambeka Section Extention 1, Tembisa.Good Samaritan Rich Moeng recalled that on December 16 the beneficiary’s home caught fire while the family visited and enjoyed time with their nextdoor neighbours.
It is believed the fire could have been caused by faulty wiring in the newly-built RDP house.
“The fire started from one of the rooms that was faulty wired.
“One of the neighbours noticed dark smoke coming from the house,” Moeng explained.
He said when people got to the house the house was already on fire.
“The neighbours helped to put out the blazing fire.
“They were able to save two rooms while one room was completely burnt down. I was called in to assist with rewiring and to revamp the house.
“The situation touched me because the family had lost their identity documents and groceries and Christmas clothes bought for the children,” said Moeng.
He said he garnered the support of other local businesses and community members to contribute whatever they could to assist the family, and that he was able to raise enough to replace some of the destroyed items.
On Christmas Day, the Mkhonza family was all smiles as they received Christmas goodies.
“Everything was burnt, but today the community was able to clothe our children. They gave us groceries, a bed and blankets,” said the owner of the house, Veli Mkhonza.
“Now what we need help with is to get new identity documents from Home Affairs,” Mkhonza said.
Mkhonza’s wife, Thembi Qwabe, said they are grateful for the gesture of goodwill shown by the community.
“On this Christmas Day, we were like every other family.
“We have a new ceiling and we received paint for the walls, a bed and groceries,” Qwabe said.
Moeng thanked everyone who helped to make Christmas Day enjoyable for the Mkhonza family.
“I appeal to everyone to continue to lend a helping hand to people in dire situations in order to build our community,” Moeng said.
