Ballito reaches out to Knysna

A true sense of Ubuntu surfaced in the Dolphin Coast community this week, as residents rallied to support victims of the devastating Knysna fires.

After more than 400 homes were destroyed in Knysna and surrounding areas last week, thousands of people were forced to evacuate their homes while volunteer firefighters from across the country risked their lives in an effort to put out the raging fires.

Last week, the Dolphin Coast community was abuzz on ways churches, clubs, schools and businesses could help with relief efforts. In true Dolphin Coast style, local businesses joined forces with the public to collect non-perishable food, clothing and other items.

Security companies showed that they were about more than just business and worked together picking up items from residents who could not get to the drop-off points.

More than six drop-off points were established locally.

Paul Herbst from IPSS Medical Rescue said the room at their offices in Chakas Rock, which was also a drop off point, was overflowing.

“We had people dropping off so many things and there were about four truckloads and multiple bakkies that had to transport the collections of nonperishable items that were picked up from our office on Monday.

“Triton Express offered to send the goods down to Knysna free of charge where they will be delivered to the Knysna and George Lions clubs. We would like to thank all security companies who assisted in collecting things from resident’s homes and bringing them through to our office,” he said.

Sheffield’s Privi Makhan, who took the initiative to personally collect items from Ballito to Westbrook, said the response had been incredible and overwhelming.

“I managed to collect a lot of clothing, non-perishable food, blankets, sleeping bags and blow up mattresses that were collected by DHL on Tuesday morning. The community spirit has reaffirmed my faith in humanity.”

Johnny Mutton of RE/MAX Dolphin Realtors said people were constantly dropping off items at their office on Sandra Road, Ballito, after the agency put out an appeal for donations.

Over the weekend, Ballito’s Specialised Search and Rescue Unit (SRU) headed to Knysna to assist in feeding more than 800 firefighters who worked tirelessly to put out the fires.

Shortly after their arrival, they were faced with the devastating possibility that the food they had collected and transported would possibly run out.

With help from The Courier’s online platform highlighting the plight and social media messages, Mo-Zam-Bik restaurateur and SRU member Brett Michielin said they had managed to raise more than R75 000 in three days.

“We needed at least R8 000 to keep feeding them and we raised so much more. A good selection came from our friends and other restaurant owners as well as family.

“We have been feeding firefighters every half an hour. We have prepared stews, rolls and curries as they need proper meals to keep up their energy levels. The money that is left over will be donated to get new uniforms for firefighters as one of the main challenges we faced was that the volunteers and professional firefighters were not equipped with proper resources.”

Michielin said seven people had lost their lives while putting out the fires and that the situation in Knysna was still tense.

“There are parts that are still burning and these firefighters have been working 24 hours to put out flames. The sense of community here is great, even though the devastation is evident. “When you drive through the roads, you see that the fires have affected everyone from the townships, right to the wealthy areas.”

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