Food parcels handed
to fire victims
By Nangamso Mabindla
20 November 2007
THERE has been some light at the end of the tunnel for 46 victims of a shack fire in Duncan Village, who have received help from the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa).
The people were left homeless after a fire broke out at 12pm on Wednesday, 14 November. A paraffin stove was the cause of the blaze. Moved by the plight of these families, Sassa gave food parcels, blankets and stoves to help them in their time of need.
On Monday, 19 November the agency, assisted by Ward 9 councillor Clara Yekiso, visited Duncan Village to hand over the parcels to the victims. Speaking to the residents of Duncan Village C section, Eastern Cape Sassa boss Sakhumzi Yawa said that he was sad to see the standard of living in Duncan Village.
"We are faced with a problem because the standard of living here is not what the South African government would like to see in our country. This is the reason Sassa wants to be involved in the fight against poverty and assist in the looking after of our people."
However, for it to help improve the standard of living in areas like Duncan Village, people needed to participate and help the agency get better.
Turning his attention to the parcels, Yawa said that though small, they would go a long way towards ensuring that the victims did not go to bed on an empty stomach.
"We are happy to be here and we really want to help where we can and play our part in ensuring that people's lives are improved."
Yekiso thanked Sassa for its help. "These parcels will really help our people in their time of need."
It was important that shack fires became a thing of the past. "Last week's fire victims were given forms to fill out so that houses are built for them; the municipality wants to put an end to shack fires in Duncan Village."
Over the years there have been several devastating shack fires in the area. In 2006, there were 128 fires in Buffalo City, destroying 467 shacks and leaving 1 419 people homeless. Duncan Village accounted for over 70 percent of these fires.
Peacemaker Xolo, one of the beneficiaries, thanked the agency for the parcels, saying they would be of great benefit. "Some of us are unemployed, so we really are happy that Sassa heeded the call to come to our rescue. We really did not expect this gesture."
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