By Nangamso Mabindla
6 July 2005

A BLAZE that swept through the informal settlement of Duncan Village at the weekend left several residents destitute. However, many are beginning to rebuild their homes - with help from their neighbours.

The Buffalo City disaster management unit has also assisted the families by giving them emergency packs of blankets and food. The food parcel contains mealie meal, samp, sugar beans and sugar, according to the unit's Owen Becker.

On Saturday morning, July 2, it was business as usual in Duncan Village, with some residents going to town to shop. Others were out and about looking for jobs.

By mid-afternoon, however, 60 families were homeless after a fire razed their small shacks. Residents believe the fire started when a child tried to bake bread over an open flame stove.

Nontuku Khonwayo lost everything. "I was on my way from buying material to improve my shack when I saw black smoke coming from where my house stood. I couldn't believe my eyes. I was left with nothing but my clothes."

Another resident, Tyhilile Fihlani, and his family of six are being housed at the nearby Sinovuyo High School as they lost their belongings.

"Some of my children are at the high school while others are staying with our neighbours," Fihlani says. "There is nothing left at all. Our furniture, clothes and everything we owned is part of this heap of ruins."

Unemployed Ndileka Pali, who lost all her certificates, is worried about getting a job without proof of her skills.

Despite their challenges, the Duncan Village community is working to turn around their circumstances. On Tuesday neighbours young and old helped to rebuild some of the shacks, and were also helping by providing shelter and food.

Khonwayo says, "I am thankful to my neighbours for the support they have shown us during this difficult period.

"They have shown that we have friends here in Duncan Village who care for us. This has also brought us close to our neighbours."

The City's disaster management unit will get the names of those who need help "and give them to the Red Cross", Becker says, adding that they will also be given clothing.