Boom time ahead for Knysna
Many jobs expected to be created to rebuild homes and infrastructure, writes Yolanda Stander
THE SAYING rising like a phoenix from the ashes has rarely rung as true as it is along the Garden Route after what has been dubbed the biggest disaster rescue effort in South African history.
A large number of devastating fires – mainly focused around Knysna and Plettenberg Bay – swept across the region over the past three weeks, leaving a trail of destruction their wake.
The fires saw about 5 000 residents flee their homes, led to the destruction of about 700 homes and other structures, claimed the lives of seven people and burnt through more than 20 000ha of land.
Over and above the physical losses the town’s economy has also taken a knock with about 2 500 jobs, mostly in the hospitality industry, hit. highways and improved road, rails and water transport,” Bouw-spies said.
The town’s tourism body, Knysna and Partners vicechairperson Ypie Kigma, said it was not only physical restoration that was taking place, but that the “human spirit” was also rising.
“I’m starting to notice the little things like the regenerating fynbos in some areas where it was devastated by the fires; the Gift of the Givers funding the resettlement of bees to places where there is food for them and Al Imdaad providing relief management in the community. I’m overwhelmed and inspired by the united community spirit that has come from people starting to work together for a common cause,” Kigma said.