A fire, believed to have started as a stove fire, swept through a settlement in Shaka’s Head, Dolphin Coast in KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday night, leaving several people, including children, temporarily homeless.

Twenty-three of those with nowhere else to go were housed at the Shaka’s Head community hall in cramped conditions until yesterday, when further rooms were opened on site.

The blaze is believed to have been cooking-related, starting with a stove fire in one shack on Saturday evening and spreading to the remaining shacks, sixteen of which were housed on one RDP property.

Luckily, all of the residents were awake and able to leave their homes before anyone was injured, and swift action from the KwaDukuza Fire Department prevented the fire from spreading to neighbouring properties.

Phumzile Sithole, who owns the RDP property but was not present on the night, cut a frustrated figure as she combed through the wreckage on Monday morning.

“I am still waiting for an explanation from the tenants. It is a very unfortunate situation, but I really need to know what happened,” she says.

Her stepson acted as landlord on the property, charging between R120 and R250 in rent depending on the size of the shacks, most of which were constructed using wood and plastic.

Aside from the tragedy of the situation, it is also a significant financial loss for the Sithole family.

For the residents, however, it is a case of going from bad to worse, with only seven of the group currently employed.

“We have lost everything and have only what we were able to carry. The situation is incredibly distressing,” says Abongwe Nojila.

The circumstances after the fire point to a wider problem in the community, where dozens of work-aged adults could be found on the streets during visits by the North Coast Courier on Monday and yesterday.

The lack of substantive housing in close proximity to job opportunities in Ballito is well documented, but it is clear that jobs are limited too.

In the meantime, aid has arrived for the fire-affected residents from private and municipal sources alike.

Shaka’s Head community organiser Mthokozisi Da Silva, and Salt Rock resident Gail Stefano have been rallying support since Sunday.

With the most pressing food and housing needs met, the duo is seeking building material donations so that the shacks can be rebuilt.

KwaDukuza mayor Lindile Nhaca visited the community hall yesterday morning, bringing food, baby formula, and cooking supplies for the displaced residents.

She reached out to the provincial Department of Human Settlements and is awaiting a response to find a long-term housing solution.