Hundreds of Madiba section residents, in Imizamo Yethu, have been working hard rebuilding their lives after a massive blaze destroyed their homes on Saturday night.
According to reports, a fire broke at one of the shacks at about 11pm and the blaze swiftly spread, burning more than 100 structures, and killing one man. It was extinguished at 7am on Saturday.
About 200 survivors have been sleeping at Yellow Community Hall, while others are staying with relatives, with a few who spent the past three nights sitting around a fire, outside, having no place to sleep.
Today some residents started scratching around for remaining material they could use to rebuild their homes.
The majority are unemployed, with some relying on social grants and piece jobs for a living. Some residents have been affected by fires multiple times over the years.
According to them, the only help that has been given is warm food by different local organisations and food parcels by the Gift of the Givers.
According to Samkelo Krweqe, only a few have received clothing donations from the public.
"Sassa and other organisations usually become visible and activate their programmes in three days so we are at least expecting some relief as from today, yes Sassa was here yesterday but nothing much was done," said Kweqe.
Victim, Fezeka Matshaya said: "The biggest need right now is the building material. Not all of us can use the burned zinc and most of them were already old, at least we will be able to think straight once we have a roof over our heads," she said.
"I was sleeping when I heard someone calling me and screaming, I rushed to see and the fire was already so close by, I grabbed my kids and the handbag and rushed out. It was like in the movies, it's like a nightmare and I can still hear the noise from that morning," she said.
Another resident, Masomelele Nqevu added: "The sad thing is that many are unemployed and we have elderly people who are in distress and yet we can't tell what actually happened. The poor man didn't live to tell the story and it's a tale we'll never know. All we know is that we had load shedding at the time and anything is possible, but let's rather not speculate, but focus on getting back on our feet.“
Community Cook Up IY NPO is one of the organisations that has since been feeding the victims, and Tjarla Norton, the founder, said: "The need is always huge within our community, but as one can imagine when fire whips through, people are left with nothing. It’s always amazing how the community pulls together in times of need and we are so glad we can be of assistance."
Charlotte Powell, spokesperson for the City of Cape Town disaster risk management said an on-site mobile JOC to coordinate services from various City departments to deal with the incident was activated and that Sassa had been informed to provide humanitarian assistance.
For donations call Fezeka on 063 169 8537 or Masomelele on 078 183 3297.