[imagesource: Ashraf Hendricks / GroundUp]

As you switch on your electric blanket tonight, before climbing into bed, spare a thought for the many Capetonians who won’t enjoy a good night’s rest.

Wet weather is set to continue through today and much of tomorrow, with shack residents in Cape Town already experiencing flooding and the collapsing of their homes.

Bloekombos, near Kraaifontein, has been heavily affected, as well as Khayelitsha, Gugulethu, Philippi, Mfuleni, Langa, Masiphumelele, Strand, and Imizamo Yethu.

Speaking to News24, ANC councillor Siyabonga Duka said that people aren’t coping:

He said the storm had dislodged garbage, which added an extra health hazard to the situation.

He explained that some of the residents had built shacks on land intended for housing, which was in the vicinity of a dam, during the early stages of the Covid-19 lockdown last year…

He said the settlement was not recognised as a permanent suburb by the City of Cape Town, so assistance is limited.

“The situation is very bad. People can’t go inside their houses.”

GroundUp interviewed Bloekombos residents and put together this video, showing how desperate their plight is:

The City’s Disaster Risk Management, through spokesperson Charlotte Powell, says it will provide relief like meals and blankets to the hardest-hit areas.

There are many ways you can help, one of which is to donate to Ladles of Love, a charity organisation that aims to provide meals, as well as dignity and respect, to citizens in need.

They have already been on the ground, making a difference and offering assistance:

BREAKING NEWS: some of the homes devastated from last night’s heavy rains causing flooding and a big loss to many in Gugulethu in #CapeTown . We went to offer some relief items. 🙏 Help via our bio link. #capestorm #Donations pic.twitter.com/LimbjkBDA5

— Ladles of Love (@LadlesofLove) July 1, 2021

The Gift of the Givers Foundation also does fantastic work, and is requesting donations so that they can continue to help where needed:

Maybe Iqbal Survé can redirect that R1 million he was donating to the Tembisa 10 decuplets to a needy cause that actually exists.

[sources:news24&groundup]