Eskom steps in to help after fires

A DONATION of R350 000 from Eskom will bring relief to the communities of Longmore and Thornhill in the Kouga region, after runaway fires ravaged the area in June.

Representatives from Eskom visited the Kouga Municipality on Tuesday to hand over a cheque to the Red Cross.

At the handover, Kouga mayor Elza van Lingen said the focus would be on Longmore, where more than 200 residents had to be evacuated when a runaway fire threatened their homes.

The blaze destroyed about 27 000ha of vegetation in the Longmore and Thornhill areas, as well as farmland, buildings and equipment.

“Kouga firefighters were able to save Longmore Village from burning down, but the community was left without electricity or water because of fire damage to the infrastructure,” Van Lingen said.

Red Cross Port Elizabeth and Sarah Baartman district branch manager Coralie Peo-Swartz said the Eskom donation would be used to equip and train affected communities to prevent and survive disaster situations.

“The programme marks the start of an official relationship between the Red Cross and the municipality,” she said.

“We are grateful to Eskom for the financial assistance.”

Eskom stakeholder coordinator Jongi Dyabaza said the parastatal was grateful it could help Kouga through its partnership with the Red Cross. – Herald Reporter