Still living in a tent
AVITHA Peter and her family were forced to move from a makeshift home in Riet River, north of Durban, to a tent.
Since the April 2022 floods, Peter, her husband, Rishal, their three children and her mother, Roshni Sewpersadh, live on land that belongs to Phoenix Victory Church in Eastbury. Six other families who lost their homes also live in similar tents.
“We lived in a large one-bedroomed home. On April 11 last year, as we were indoors, the rain got heavier. I remember looking outside and noticing the water level rise until it began to flow into our home.
“I told my family that we needed to leave before it flooded and the structure collapsed on us. We packed a bag with our important documents and some clothing. By then the water was already above my waist.”
Peter said she carried her 4-year-old daughter on her hip.
“I slowly walked outside in search of higher ground. My mother was scared. We tried to reassure her that we would be okay. As we walked in the water, we tried to stay close to each other.
“The rain was so heavy that waves started to form in the water, pushing us back and forth. It was scary. We eventually made it to the top of our road and found a broken-down shelter.
“We were drenched and shivering. We stood under the shelter from 11pm until 6.30am until we got assistance. Other families were also fleeing.”
She said when the rain cleared, the KZN Council of Churches gave them a tent to live on nearby property, but when the land began to slope, they were moved to Eastbury in Phoenix.
“We have access to water, electricity and bathing and ablution facilities, and we sleep on mattresses. At the time, officials from eThekwini Municipality told us that we would get homes, but a year has passed and we remain displaced. We feel like we have been forgotten.”
Peter said the family could not afford to rent a home. “My husband is unemployed and my 24-year-old son does part-time electrical work. My mother collects an old- age grant. Some of the money is used toward helping out with whatever we may need.”
She said during the heavy rain on Sunday, the power in the area went out.
“This gave me flashbacks of what happened last year. It was terrifying.”
Peter said while their home in Riet River was small, it was theirs.
“I would never wish what happened to us over the past year on anyone.”
Vassie Govender, chairperson of Reaching Accurate Generational Solutions, has been helping displaced families following last year’s floods.
“The tents are sponsored and we also have sponsored JoJo tanks. We try to provide meals to them because many of the families are unemployed. We have engaged with the government and the municipality about providing proper housing for the families but we are still awaiting feedback.”