Club Marina, Ifafa Beach – from victims to victors
Fifty-four people – some of whom are children – living at Club Marina have been affected by the floods.
Many people in the mid-South Coast region have been left with little to nothing after last week’s disastrous weather conditions.
The heavy rains took everyone by surprise and resulted in widespread flooding, causing serious damage to roads, and both public and private infrastructure.
Club Marina in Ifafa Beach was particularly hard hit, with most residents of Crayfish Lane having been forced to evacuate their homes.
“The heavy rains began last Monday night,” said Rainier de Klerk, one of the directors at Club Marina.
By 10am on Tuesday, signs of flooding were evident. By 1pm the water had reached ceiling height in most of the houses near the river, and it was 5.30pm before we could enter those houses again.
The floodwaters resulted in windows being burst open, doors broken down and walls becoming waterlogged.
“One of the saddest things was seeing fridges and washing machines floating down the river. There was just so much water that it actually picked up these appliances and swept them out through windows and doors,” added Mr de Klerk.
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Fifty-four people – some of whom are children – living at Club Marina have been affected by the floods. The majority of these are pensioners. All in all, 43 properties, including holiday homes, have been affected.
Back in 2008, Club Marina faced a similar disaster. According to Mr de Klerk, although more homes were affected then, the damage was greater this time.
Wheelchair-bound musician Lance Schultz (57) who has lived at Club Marina for three years, said his property had suffered extensive damage.
“I make music for a living and now I don’t know how I’m going to earn an income because all my sound equipment was damaged,” he said.
He has lost his speakers, lights, karaoke mic and cables.
Everything I owned was damaged. I don’t even know where the framed picture of my family is. All my clothes, furniture, bedding – everything is either covered in mud, has been damaged by water or floated out the house and down the river.
“I’m thankful to my neighbours for assisting me through this bad patch. Even though they were also affected, they were still strong enough to help me.”
When the rain first began on Monday night, Mr Schultz was asleep and unaware that the water had already begun seeping into his house.
When he was alerted by a neighbour, he saw that the water was already level with his bed. He was helped from the house by neighbours.
For safety reasons, the electricity supply was disconnected, and the complex had no running water, thanks to burst pipes. Fortunately, residents had access to the water tank on the premises which provided them with clean drinking water.
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Mr de Klerk reported to the Mail on Monday this week that both the water and electricity supply had been restored.
The community at large stepped up to help, providing much-needed food, clothing and bedding for the destitute residents. According to one, thanks to the generous assistance they received, they no longer classified themselves as victims, but rather as victors, slowly but surely overcoming this ordeal.
All those who have already come forward to help are thanked, and donations are still being collected by Joanne’s Angels for victims in surrounding areas.
Scottburgh Saps communications officer, Captain Adam Francis said, “Members were on high alert during the heavy rain and patrols were made during the storm, focusing on the safety of our communities.”
Last Wednesday, representatives from Ugu District Municipality met with the provincial cabinet to brief them on the loss of life and damage caused by the severe weather.
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Ugu spokesman France Zama said, “There were a number number of deaths in the district, which covers the South Coast from Scottburgh to Port Edward and inland, including Harding.”
The provincial death toll stands at 69, with five of these occurring in the Ugu district.
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