KNYSNA NEWSFLASH - She had battled for more than a decade before the June 2017 fires to establish a home for herself, she battled during the blaze, and for 66-year-old Patsy Singleton the battle continues as she still struggles to find a forever home for herself a year after the fire.
The crux of Singleton’s tale is this: since about 2005 she fought for the area known as Salt River, for the wildlife and for the families who lived there. In total, she has lived in the area for more than 20 years and has always held this specific little community very close to her heart. But never was she able to completely call it home.
'Years-long uphill battle'
She fought for the area to be declared a heritage site, along with 13 houses that stood scattered around the property. She fought for those living there, including herself, to gain permanent residency there, but by the end of this fight – brought on by the fires of 7 June 2017 – she is still left with nothing except the few belongings she was able to save.
In the earlier years she was able to secure heritage status for five out of the 13 houses, and ensured permanent residency for two families who had been living there for generations, says Singleton.
Read more in Thursday's Knysna-Plett Herald, as well as online.
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