A group of Site C business owners showed their warm side by donating clothes and food parcels to the victims of the fire at BBT informal settlement on Saturday 21 January.
Among others, they donated clothes, school shoes and food parcels to the needy in the community. More than 30 victims were left homeless when at least 13 shacks caught fire on Sunday 15 January.
One person died during the incident.
The business owners also assisted the family of the deceased.
The initiative was organised by the Site C Business Forum in partnership with various local organisations.
The forum spokesperson Melikhaya Yalwa stated that instead of folding their arms they felt a need to stand up and help.
He said members went out to local businesses to ask for contributions to help the victims.
“Many people lost all their belongings in the shack fire. Some of them are still staying with their friends and relatives because they are struggling to rebuild their shacks because they don’t have money.
“So, we decided to intervene and help where we can,” said Yalwa.
He stated that the doors are still open to all the people who are willing to contribute to assisting the fire victims.
Yalwa said they aim to inspire and encourage the beneficiaries to show that they are not alone.
The owner of TP Market Firm Thando Pere said they also donated a food parcel to the deceased family.
The TP Marketing Firm, which is based at Blue Hall in Site C, specialises in marketing other companies.
Pere confessed that he was touched when members of the forum informed him about the living conditions of the deceased family. He said they felt the need to do something.
“Our company is new. It was established about four months ago. But we already have 19 companies that are registered with us so that we can market them nationwide. We have 10 companies in Cape Town, five in Johannesburg and only four in Mthatha,” said Pere.
He said each month they identify a needy family where they donate a food parcel.
Pere described their contribution to needy families as part of giving back to the community.
One of the beneficiaries, Vuyiswa Maqhetseba, who received clothes, said they are pleased with the donation.
“I want to express my gratitude to all the business people who supported us. We don’t take their contribution lightly. Some of us didn’t even have clothes to wear. But we are appealing to anyone who has building material that he or she is not utilising to give us,” said Maqhetseba.
