Gift of the Givers Relief Package Handover in Grabouw
This morning Theewaterskloof Municipality's political and administrative leadership came together to welcome the Gift of the Givers Foundation at the Gerald Wright Thusong Centre in Grabouw, where fire victims received much-needed humanitarian relief packages.
More than 200 people were left displaced after a ravaging blaze swept through Grabouw on Friday 01 July damaging 66 informal structures, three (3) formal houses, one (1) private vehicle and one (1) bus of Gaffleys Transport Service.
Gift of the Givers have been assisting fire victims since Friday with food and other supplies.
Today 69 families received brand new blankets, mattresses, food parcels and hygiene kits.
Theewaterskloof’s Municipal Manager, Boy Ngubo, officially welcomed the organisation and thanked them for their support and assistance.
"I also want to thank the broader community, religious organisations and local businesses who have been helping throughout the weekend. It has been wonderful to see everybody come together after this devastating disaster and we couldn't have helped these families without you."
Executive Deputy Mayor, John Michels, said this is not the first time that residents of Waterworks Informal Settlement have been victims of a devastating blaze and added that it is sad that after 35 years they are still living under these difficult circumstances.
He assured residents that as leadership, they would do their best to uplift all communities in Theewaterskloof.
"I want to thank the administration, ward councillors from other wards who are in attendance today as well as Gift of the Givers and other local organisations for responding so quickly, after the fire, to assist those in need. I also want to thank those who have been affected for their patience and for working with us."
Ali Sablay, from Gift of the Givers, addressed the community saying it was an honour for them to participate and assist the community in their hour of need.
"Wherever there is a need or disaster Gift of the Givers will always do what we can to help those affected. We have been in the community providing meals since Friday and today we are happy to be able to assist with mattresses, nappies, food parcels and even building materials. We always try to make families as comfortable as possible and make sure they have a meal as they start to rebuild."
Other organisations like Designers Without Borders SA also generously reached out to provide new clothes, shoes, dry food and hygiene products for the fire victims.
The residents of Waterworks Informal Settlement were very grateful for the donations and aid received today and said it would make a big difference as many of them had lost everything in the fire.
Issued by: Communications Department, Theewaterskloof Municipality
