A fire destroyed numerous structures in Imizamo Yethu, Hout Bay, on Sunday morning, 11 October, prompting a humanitarian response as residents face uncertainty over the extent of the damage and the assistance available to affected households.
Gift of the Givers said its teams were alerted to the blaze shortly after 04:00. The organisation has mobilised hot meals and bottled water for affected residents while working with Disaster Management officials and community leaders to assess the damage and identify urgent needs.
Firefighters initially prevented the humanitarian teams from entering the affected area while they worked to contain the blaze. According to Gift of the Givers, crews remained on site to deal with remaining flare-ups and ensure the area was safe.
The organisation said its response would focus on providing timely assistance as assessments continued.
Gift of the Givers is working alongside Disaster Management officials and community leaders to establish the extent of the damage and determine what affected families require.
The full impact of the fire, including the number of structures destroyed and residents affected, had not yet been confirmed in the information provided.
The response comes as community activist Roscoe Jacobs called for immediate assistance for affected households and renewed action on housing delivery in Imizamo Yethu.
In a statement issued this afternoon, Jacobs commended Gift of the Givers, the Imizamo Yethu Development Forum and Thula Thula for assisting residents, and called on the National Department of Human Settlements, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and the Department of Home Affairs to provide the necessary support.
He also urged the City of Cape Town’s Informal Settlements Management branch to work with community leadership to compile an accurate list of affected residents and coordinate assistance.
Jacobs said the fire highlighted the need for progress on the Imizamo Yethu Phase 3 housing project, planned for the former forestry land between the settlement and Hout Bay Main Road.
The City previously announced more than 900 housing opportunities for the project, with infrastructure and homes initially expected to be completed by June 2019.
Jacobs said major infrastructure works were reported as completed in 2022, but residents still needed clarity on when homes would be delivered.
He pointed to the City’s 2026/27 budget, which he said allocated R7 million to Phase 3, and called for details on how the money would be spent, alongside a firm construction timetable and regular progress updates.
Jacobs also stressed that housing delivery should be accompanied by safe, reliable electricity and other essential services.
The immediate priority remains ensuring that residents affected by the fire receive assistance and that the area is safe for humanitarian assessments.
At the same time, the incident has renewed questions about the pace of housing delivery and the provision of basic services in Imizamo Yethu.
As relief efforts continue, assessments will be needed to establish how many households require support and what assistance will be necessary in the days ahead.
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Picture: Roscoe Jacobs/Facebook
