An army of self-appointed aid workers rose up from across the North Coast and further afield last week, with an outpouring of support for Tongaat’s tornado victims.

Truckloads of potatoes, clothes, blankets, water, baby formula and nappies arrived in wave after wave as ordinary people cleaned out their cupboards to contribute.

Joining NGOs and government in the mammoth clean-up operation, locals arrived armed with machinery to remove rubble and meals to feed the shell-shocked survivors.

Tongaat was the hardest hit when two tornadoes ravaged parts of the province last Monday, including parts of iLembe, King Cetshwayo, Amajuba, Umzinyathi and Umkhanyakude districts.

The storms left 12 people dead, damaged more than 7 000 houses and small businesses, and affected more than 17 000 people. Twenty schools also suffered severe damage, with Seatides Combined and Sandfields Primary schools the worst affected.

Over 1 200 homeless families are receiving humanitarian aid from government and NGOs.

In Magwaveni, a mobile clinic operates daily. More than 50 people are housed in tents and hundreds more come for medical check-ups and to collect food.

During a visit to the area on Monday, many residents were seen rebuilding their homes or clearing their yards in preparation of receiving building materials.

Zodwa Thwala, a mother of four currently living in a tent, expressed hope for rebuilding her life.

“We are treated well here with blankets, mattresses and food provided. We are now praying for building materials,” said Thwala.

Long-time resident Bhekinkosi Biyela (70) lost two rooms of his three-room home and now shares the remaing room with his family of 11.

“With my R2 000 old age grant, I cannot rebuild the house. My only hope is to receive donated building material to be able to have a proper home again,” said Biyela.

At the Newtown community hall, 15 people are housed but around 250 arrive daily for food.

Relief coordinator Gugu Mkhwanazi reported that the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and a non-profit organisation deliver breakfast, lunch, and supper, but the growing number of destitute people sometimes outstrips the supplies.

KwaZulu-Natal premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube said all government departments were actively involved in recovery efforts.

“The Department of Social Development has deployed social workers for counselling, and SASSA is helping families replace lost social grant cards. Home Affairs is assisting with lost identity documents,” said Dube-Ncube.

Chairperson of Round Table Ballito 22 and North Coast director of People of South Africa Foundation, Ryan Meyer, said on Sunday they distributed 32 000kg of potatoes and three tons of oranges.

Working with local businesses, they provided supplies to affected areas in Tongaat.

“We handed out 5 000 potato parcels and also supplied ingredients to soup kitchens cooking for the affected people. We are still collecting donations to get building materials and more food to the Tongaat residents,” said Meyer.

For donation details, you can WhatsApp Meyer at 061 109 8482.

Nazir Sadack from CERT Emergency Response Tongaat reported that together with LA Mercy Neighbourhood Watch and residents, they had set up the Tongaat Beach Disaster Relief fund.

They will first assist those people without insurance to fix their homes.

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