When you read the news these days, it’s easy to get disheartened. There’s so much conflict, tragedy and division. Just this weekend we saw a devastating fire tear through the  Imizamo Yethu community in Hout Bay. The fire destroyed 3 500 homes, left 1 500 homeless and claimed the lives of four people. While this is a tragedy, the way Cape Town came together to help the victims of the fire is admirable. It’s the kind of act that makes you believe in the goodness of people again.

Right from the get-goo, communities, NGOs and businesses did what they could. The Cape Town Cycle Tour, which got cancelled due to severe weather conditions, donated all the food and drinks meant for the event to the Imizamo Yethu fire victims. Since then, there has been an influx of donations of food, blankets and toiletries. According to News24, these donations added to the efforts of government-appointed NGOs who are doing all they can to help.

Thula Thula, Gift of the Givers, the Red Cross, Mustadafin Foundation and Historically Disadvantaged Individuals have organised tents, blankets, food, toiletries and mattresses. The City’s solid waste department is clearing the remains of ruined homes and the city will be delivering construction materials so the community can rebuild. EWN reports that the City of Cape Town has pledged R30 million to help rebuild a section of Imizamo Yethu.

Uber have set up an UberCommunity option where you can request a  free car to pick up your donations. UberCommunity will be available from today 15 March between 10 am and 2 pm. In Hout Bay, community halls are being used as an additional shelter while the Hout Bay fire station, police station, Pick ‘n Pay and the Hout Bay International School have been set up as drop-off points for donations.

Sihle Ngobese, spokesperson for the Department of Social Development in the Western Cape, has praised all those who have aided the Imizamo Yethu community. ‘The scale of the disaster is arguably one of the worst experienced in Cape Town. We must give thanks to the public who have literally come out in their numbers.’

While much has been done, there’s still a huge need of other items, such as hygiene products like toothpaste, toothbrushes and sanitary towels. Ngobese has also asked for non-perishable food, and cat and dog food for the pets and animals that are also affected by the fire.  The Domestic Animal Rescue Group in Hout Bay is also in desperate need of food, water, leads, blankets, bowls, crates and kennels as they are 50% over capacity with injured animals, pregnant dogs and displaced pets due to the fire.

Here at Cape {Town} Etc and Highbury Media, we’re doing our part to help by having a donation drive within the company to collect items the community needs. We encourage you to do the same. With all our help and kindness, we can help rebuild Imizamo Yethu. It is part of our community after all.

Photography Twitter 

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