Niël Terblanché
In the wake of a devastating fire at the Otweya informal settlement in Walvis Bay, which left approximately 200 people homeless and claimed one life, August 26 Holding Company (PTY) Ltd, stepped forward on Wednesday with a donation of food and essential supplies.
While the fire victims attempt to recover from the devastating loss of homes and belongings, the government, private sector, and civil society organisations came together to provide relief and plan for more permanent solutions.
The relief effort by August 26 was aimed at providing immediate support to the victims and was welcomed by local officials and residents struggling to rebuild their lives after the tragedy.
The fire, which broke out on the evening of 4 October, rapidly engulfed about 80 shacks in the densely populated area, displacing numerous families.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the authorities, but it is clear that the incident has once again exposed the vulnerabilities of informal settlements to such disasters.
Michael Jimmy, from the Erongo Regional Governor’s Office, received the donation on behalf of Governor Neville Andre.
Expressing gratitude, Jimmy stated: “The Office of the Erongo Regional Governor would like to express its immense appreciation to the August 26 Company for this generous donation that brings much-needed relief to the fire victims.”
The donation was handed over by Donatus Tegako, Walvis Bay Rural constituency councillor and chairperson of the Constituency Disaster Risks Committee, for distribution among the affected families.
The fire is part of a worrying trend in Walvis Bay, where informal settlements like Otweya have been the site of several similar incidents in recent years.
Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who visited the site a week ago, expressed her concern about the frequency of such disasters in the area.
During her visit, she called for thorough investigations into the recurring fires, stressing the importance of finding solutions to prevent future tragedies.
While visiting the victims, Nandi-Ndaitwah also donated food parcels to the nearly 200 people affected and pledged further government support.
She urged the community to remain patient as efforts to assist them continue, and she stressed the need for collective action to address the issue of shack settlements, which are particularly vulnerable to such hazards.
“We must get rid of shacks in our towns. We can only do this if we cooperate as citizens,” she said while reiterating the government’s long-term plan to improve housing conditions.
The victims of the fire, currently housed in temporary shelters provided by the municipality, continue to receive support from various organisations.
In addition to the donations from August 26 and the vice president’s office, other donors, such as local businesses and non-profit groups, have contributed blankets, mattresses, and other essentials to help the victims navigate this difficult period.
