Cape Town mountain fire: support floods in for firefighters and students
Capetonians, organisations, major retailers and businesses have stepped up to support those affected by the Cape Town mountain fire.
CAPE TOWN, April 19 (ANA) – Capetonians, organisations, major retailers and businesses have stepped up to support those affected by the Cape Town mountain fire.
The fire started on Sunday morning and since then firefighters have been working tirelessly to try to contain the blaze as gale-force winds on Monday complicated their efforts.
Since the fire broke out, students from the University of Cape Town (UCT) and residents close to it have had to be evacuated.
Gift of the Givers set up to feed the 4,000 displaced students.
Its founder, Dr Imitiz Sooliman, said it will be providing the affected students three meals a day for the next seven days.
“The cook was amazing, got his team together at short notice, purchased ingredients late Sunday afternoon, cleaned, cut, prepared and cooked chicken, mutton and vegetable akni to accommodate diverse dietary requirements as best we could.
“The volunteers came in their numbers to the Gift of the Givers office at 8pm to package the meals, whilst our medical teams emphasised social distancing (Covid-19 hasn’t gone anywhere), and even lent a hand at dishing out.
“Meals were delivered door to door at the various hotels. Their requests for soap, toothpaste and personal hygiene items are overwhelming,” Sooliman said.
Other retailers such as Massmart, Engen, TFG, Woolworths, Pick n Pay, Shoprite, Pioneer Foods and Coke have already offered assistance.
The Shoprite Group said customers wishing to donate non-perishable food items can still do so. Collection trolleys have been made available at its Checkers and Checkers Hyper stores in Rondebosch, Kenilworth, Plumstead, Meadowridge, Tokai, Canal Walk and Brackenfell.
In addition, the group said its Checkers Sixty60 has committed to credit customers the R35 delivery fee for all orders delivered to Sea Point fire station located at 4 Kloof Road; Salt River fire station located at 346A Victoria Road; and the Cape Town Fire and Rescue located along Roeland Street this past Sunday.
Mosques close to the university also opened their doors to students for iftar (breaking of the fast) as Muslims are in the holy month of Ramadaan.
Residents from all over have come out in their numbers to support firefighters with much-needed essentials such as energy bars, water, energy drinks, food and eye drops as they continue to battle the inferno.
Community chat groups have been buzzing as residents offer up their homes to house and feed two or more students.
Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) manager Frans van Rooyen said it was not an easy fire.
“South African National Parks appreciates the gesture and support from Capetonians in this difficult time.
“This is not an easy fire and will probably see firefighters fighting the blaze for at least for three days and all the help received will go a long way for the firefighters.
“This is highly appreciated, and anyone who still wants to donate may still drop off donations at the Newlands Firebase off the M3 highway,” he said.
Donations can also be made to Give of the Givers, Standard Bank, Pietermaritzburg, Account number 052137228, Branch Code 057525, ref UCT Fire. For Section 18A tax benefit certificate send deposit slip to [email protected]. Details on the intervention call toll-free 0800786911.
Cash contributions received will be used to purchase chicken, meat and fish.
– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Yaron Blecher
