Call for public to assist bereaved family after blaze

A Gqeberha real estate agency has challenged the public to open their hearts, cupboards and storerooms and donate towards a bereaved and homeless Westering family after tragedy struck over the Easter Weekend.

On Saturday, 19-year-old Lukhanyo Kwikwi died in the blaze that gutted his home, leaving his mother and grandmother without a place to stay.

Though Kwikwi, 19, was initially meant to accompany his mother to a Good Friday church service and spend the night in KwaDwesi, they did not have enough money to transport both of them to the area.

Kwikwi’s mother, Ntombebongo, received a frantic call at about 6am on Saturday from her neighbours, who told her that her Clarence Street home was engulfed in flames.

In response to the tragedy, Home & Hectare realtors has announced that it would make its offices available to be used as a drop-off site for a donation drive over the next two weeks.

Linda Dent, an agent at the Walmer realtor, said they wanted to provide a platform for the public to donate what they could afford or no longer needed to the bereaved family.

“Life has many obstacles but sadly this weekend brought loss and grief to a mother in absolute abundance,” Dent said.

“We always say that home is where the heart is but how do you make things better for a parent who has lost her son and her home?

“We at Home & Hectare are pulling together as a team to make her pain a little less,” she said.

The drive will start tomorrow.

Dent said any donation, including food, bedding and other items that could help rebuild the Kwikwi home, was welcome.

“We will arrange for it to be transported to its destination.”