The Swakopmund DRC Women Empowerment Fishing company on Tuesday donated food items and toiletries valued at N.dollars 10 000 to the DRC fire victims.

The donation, according to Selma Ephraim, a director in the company, is the company’s way of meeting the municipality halfway in assisting the families who lost everything during Friday’s shack fire.

“As little as it may seem, this donation comes from our hearts and we hope it will make a difference in these families’ lives, while they get back on their feet,” Ephraim noted.

Swakopmund Mayor Luisa Kativa thanked the companay, noting that donations such as these are very important and should not be taken for granted.

“Not every Namibian can stand up and do this kind of thing. It is very rare. We do not like to share and prefer to fill up our pockets and instead just benefit one family. This needs to stop and we should develop a spirit of sharing,” Kativa added.

Namibian Breweries has also donated a big tent as well as drinking water to the group affected by the fire.

On their behalf, the group’s representative David |Uirab expressed gratitude, but emphasised the need for more tents.

“We currently have nine small tents here and at least three people share one tent, which is not sanitary especially during this pandemic.

We would really appreciate at least seven more tents, just so that we are within the COVID-19 regulations,” |Uirab added.

The mayor noted that the municipality is working tirelessly to source material to help the families rebuild their homes sooner.

The shack fire broke out after an eight-year-old boy lit a match and pointed it into the direction of a gas tank in their shack while playing. A total 35 shacks belonging to 16 families were gutted by the fire. The 26 people are currently accommodated in the tents provided by the Swakopmund Municipality at the Mondesa Sports field.

Source: Namibia Press Agency