Mr Manqoba Mahlangu from Ermelo was in good spirits on Christmas day and spent it with his family at his sister’s house.

Unbeknown to him, he would lose all his possessions in a shack fire a few hours later.

After their family gathering, Mr Mahlangu and his girlfriend returned to his place of residence at Ext 4, Esinqawunqawini.

They turned in for the night and at about 3am on 26 December, woke to his three-bedroom-shack engulfed in flames.

Bewildered and in shock, they managed to escape the inferno – but not unscathed.

Mr Mahlangu sustained third degree burns to his head, face, both arms, one of his legs and foot.

His girlfriend, by breaking through a window to escape, sustained several cuts and less serious burn wounds.

Mr Mahlangu’s neighbours realised what was happening and came to their aid.

They rushed them to the Ermelo Provincial Hospital where both Mr Mahlangu and his girlfriend were admitted.

A distraught Mr Mahlangu spoke to the Highvelder on 7 January from his hospital bed, where he is slowly recovering.

“I lost everything.

“My only possessions left, are the pair of pants and shirt I had on when I arrived at the hospital.”

Read the complete article in the Highvelder Newspaper.

Any person or institution who wants to donate building material to help rebuild or refurbish his house, food, clothes or furniture can contact Mr Johan De Klerk at 082 853 6217.