Evening of music and art to raise funds for Imizamo Yethu

TWO Grade 11 pupils have taken it upon themselves to raise R1 million for the victims of the Hout Bay fire.

The blaze in Imizamo Yethu informal settlement at the weekend killed three people and left 15 000 homeless.

Gabriela Szabo, 16, of St Cyprian’s School and James Shuttleworth, 17, of Diocesan College (Bishops), will participate in an art auction at the La Parada Restaurant in Constantia on Saturday.

They say 50% of the money raised will be donated to the Domestic Animal Rescue Group (Darg), an organisation focusing on stray and abused animals.

Gabriela’s mother Kelly Szabo said she was proud of the effort the two young people were making to assist victims of the fire. She hoped Saturday’s event would be well supported.

“It’s an great initiative. We spent last Saturday afternoon helping the victims and sorting out large donations from people. It was horrendous what happened in Hout Bay.

“Seeing so many people in those conditions bothered James and Gabriela, so they decided to help.”

She said another aspect of the initiative was a plan to liaise with suppliers to buy fireballs for R1 000 each, which residents could use for future emergencies.

The balls contain a fire extinguishing powder that is released when thrown into a blaze.

The event on Saturday evening will also feature the work of Cape Town fire and documentary photographer Justin Sullivan, live entertainment by Freshlyground lead singer Zolani Mahola and music by DJ Dino Moran.

Head of marketing at La Parada Anthea Scholtz said: “It will be an incredible evening and being hosts of the event is La Parada’s way of giving back to the community and to Darg.

QR codes will be available for snap donations. For bookings e-mail chantal@laparada.co.za.