Hope has emerged from the rubble in Doornkop, Soweto, after the Collen Mashawana Foundation announced it will step in to support a family devastated by the collapse of a double-storey house that claimed the lives of three relatives, including a one-year-old.
The foundation’s intervention brings much-needed relief to the grieving family as they begin the painful journey of burying their loved ones and rebuilding their lives.
The tragedy, which unfolded in the Doornkop informal settlement, claimed the lives of a 60-year-old woman, a 24-year-old woman and a toddler, all from the same family. Six people were inside the house at the time of the collapse, according to Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (JEMS).
Emergency crews arrived shortly after 3am and launched an overnight rescue operation. Three people were found trapped in the rubble but were rescued and transported to Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital for medical treatment. Two adult women and a child survived, while three family members tragically lost their lives.
As many as 13 people permanently lived in the house. Three other relatives, who were visiting for the holidays, were away at the time, a twist of fate that spared them from the tragedy.
Speaking to The Star, the foundation confirmed that one of its partners will cover the funeral arrangements, while building materials will be donated to help construct a new home for the family, alongside additional forms of support.
The foundation confirmed that its patron, Mashawana, has spearheaded an urgent intervention plan for the family, with full support from the foundation’s stakeholders.
“The family fully qualifies for immediate assistance, and within four weeks, we aim to hand over a structurally sound and fully furnished home,” the foundation said.
In this heartbreaking Doornkop case, the foundation has acted swiftly, providing groceries, blankets, and mattresses to the affected family. Through a partnership with Baroka Funerals, it will also cover burial arrangements and rebuild the family’s home, bringing hope and dignity after such a devastating loss.
The comprehensive support package includes essential supplies, funeral arrangements, and building materials for the new home.
The Mashawana Foundation is working closely with the City of Johannesburg and other stakeholders to offer additional assistance, including trauma counseling, while Human Settlements officials assess risks in the area and address related issues.
Members of the public and potential donors can assist the foundation’s work nationwide through monetary or material support, helping reach and assist more families and communities.
The foundation has a long legacy of transforming lives, having built and donated over 1,000 homes, installed hundreds of boreholes, and recently provided food relief to more than 3,000 families.
The Star