Knysna relief benefits the rich and poor

The relief effort was arranged to benefit all people in the area, not just the elite, writes

YJack.

adhana Jadoo’s column about the aid given to the victims of the devastating Knysna fires is a load of self-righteous drivel. How dare she assume that people rushed to assist in relief efforts in Knysna only because those who were affected are rich?

Many of the people that suf- fered loss due to the devastating fires are not rich. Consider this for a moment: the plight of poor folks who are forced to dwell in shacks can be directly attributed to failure by government to deliver. Much of the tax money paid by the taxpayers is supposed to be used to fund, inter-alia, housing for the poor.

The relief effort was arranged to benefit all people in the area, not just the elite, as implied by Jadoo. The government would probably have done nothing to assist the victims of the fire in Knysna, so the relief effort was undertaken by ordinary citizens and private businesses.

Jadoo’s remarks insult the integrity and intentions of those involved in the relief effort. It is sad that a noble effort by the public to aid the sufferers of what is one of the biggest catastrophes ever experienced in South Africa is denigrated by someone wanting to be deliberately provocative.