This is according to Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Benedicta van Minnen, who told IOL that more than 800 kits have been handed out already this summer.

Van Minnen says Cape Town’s informal settlements are at particularly high risk, as they are traditionally built from highly flammable materials and have a high density. This was most evident in the recent blaze that struck the Masiphumelele settlement near Kommetjie, which razed 800 homes; claiming two lives and leaving 4,000 people homeless.

cape town fires

The emergency household rebuild kits consist of wooden poles, corrugated steel roof sheets, nails, a door, window and a padlock. Van Minnen says Cape Town is the only metro in the country that assists residents in this way.

Earlier this month, Executive Mayor, Patricia de Lille launched the Misa Umlilo Stop the Fire campaign, which promotes the painting of shacks with fire-retardant paint. With the heat of summer now upon us however, I fear we’re only going to see pictures like these more frequently:

cape town fires

cape town fires

cape town fires

Read the full story on the City’s response to the Cape Town fires on IOL.

Photography by Kyle Mijlof (1) and Justin Sullivan (2,3,4,5)

 

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10 Comments
  • Mary Racter
    Mary Racter
    December 8, 2015 at 10:09 am

    ok, is it planning a sustainable council housing solution so people don’t live on top of each other, augmenting the impact of shack fires, and away from work/school opportunities?

  • Cape Town Etc
    Cape Town Etc
    December 8, 2015 at 10:14 am

    We certainly hope so.

  • Shelley Pope
    Shelley Pope
    December 8, 2015 at 10:32 am

    I work with people who live in Masiphumele, and 3 of the guys lost everything in that fire, so heartbreaking. Our valley as always rallied and the local charity, Living Hope, was inundated with donations, but there definitely needs to be a long term plan for better housing.

  • Anton Crone
    Anton Crone
    December 8, 2015 at 10:53 am

    New dimensions in Masiphumelele – homes reduced in size to make way for firebreak: http://www.brightcontinent.co.za/2015/12/06/masiphumelele-fire-township-cape-town/

  • Keith Elkin
    Keith Elkin
    December 8, 2015 at 3:52 pm

    Report people who throw their cigerettes out the car window a pic will help to 021 424 7715. Put the number in your cell phone now.

  • Elaine Down
    Elaine Down
    December 8, 2015 at 4:00 pm

    They need all the help they are getting

  • Claudia Kisch
    Claudia Kisch
    December 8, 2015 at 8:14 pm

    Congratulations to the city council: one of our street guards rebuilt his house yesterday from materials supplied by council. He has also received a massive amount of help and household goods etc from the community he serves here.

  • Beverley Jack
    Beverley Jack
    December 8, 2015 at 11:00 pm

    We can hear the people rebuilding their homes. ( It is 11PM) The hammering will probably go on all night. They should be able to get quite a bit done as the weather is being kind – no wind and no rain tonight

  • Elbie Strauss Dorman
    Elbie Strauss Dorman
    December 9, 2015 at 6:42 am

    Influx of people from the Kwa-Zulu Natal ready for the voting session. A stragity by ANC to win over Western Cape Province.

  • ShareCapeTown
    ShareCapeTown
    December 9, 2015 at 9:41 pm

    CapeTownEtc thanks for sharing Cape Town Etc, have a great Wednesday 🙂 (insight by http://commun.it)

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