Tribute to victims, survivors
IN a poignant reminder of the devastation and loss of life in the Knysna fires, a steady stream of residents began laying flowers and wreaths at Memorial Square in the town’s main road from early yesterday.
Organised by “proud Knysnarian” Robert Collins, his brother Quintin and Maxine Katzen of Port Elizabeth, the event offered residents their first opportunity to pay their respects to those who had lost their lives, assisted during the disaster and lost their personal belongings and houses in the blaze.
The event was planned, due to the serious traffic congestion there, as an opportunity for residents to quickly place their flowers and offer a silent prayer, before vacating the area to make way for others.
The first flowers were laid and the first silent prayers uttered by small groups of people from 10am yesterday, but people continued to trickle into Memorial Square throughout the day.
“We wanted to create an opportunity for people to pay their respects for both those who died and those who lost their life’s belongings.
“When we put this out on social media, we received more than 22 000 responses.
“It has been fantastic. People from every corner have come out to assist.
“We are very proud of our town and how we have rallied together to assist each other.”
Collins works at a guesthouse which was one of many establishments at the forefront of assisting residents.
Robert said guesthouses, hotels and other accommodation offerings had simply thrown their doors open and freely assisted many people.
Tourism season was fast approaching, and while extensive damage had been incurred, visitors were assured Knysna was open for business and already rebuilding.
“If our tourist industry is negatively affected as a result of this, it will be a doubly whammy for the town.”