KNYSNA: Remembering the 2017 fires - In addition to actions taken by the Eden District, Knysna, and Bitou municipalities, the Western Cape Government provided funding, resources and support across the board. This was coordinated through a project management office established locally.
In an explanation of what the province has done since the fires, the office of provincial minister of economic opportunities Alan Winde, responsible for the departments of agriculture and economic development and tourism, issued the following statement one year later:
"The focus in the first months after the fire (between July and December) was on short-term interventions to minimise further risks, such as preventing landslides on slopes that had been made unstable as a result of burned-out vegetation. During this period, a comprehensive disaster funding request was submitted to national government, and approval of some disaster funds is expected in June.
Following a visit to the area, the parliamentary portfolio committee for agriculture, forestry and fisheries said the manner in which the Eden District Municipality (Eden DM) and the Western Cape Government had responded to the emergency was “commendable”, adding that “other provinces should learn from the province’s robust system when addressing disasters”.
This response was multipronged and involved a number of departments:
Local Government and Environmental Affairs (under which Provincial Disaster Management falls):
• The largest contingent of firefighters and emergency personnel for a single deployment in South African history (with over 900 firefighters, helicopters, fire trucks and other equipment deployed).
• Properties with asbestos were identified and property owners instructed to remove the rubble safely. However, some owners still dumped asbestos on municipal land, and in April 2018, Local Government transferred R2-million to Eden DM for the safe removal of asbestos.
• Two Thusong outreach events were hosted, where residents were able to access a range of government services including those required to replace lost documents like IDs and birth certificates and to apply for pensions and UIF.
• The national department of environmental affairs launched a hydro-seeding project, which seeded 90 hectares of land and created 45 jobs.
• An alien removal project, funded by private and public funds, was initiated to create firebreaks and thereby reduce future fire risk.
Social Development:
• Additional R1-million in funding for trauma counselling and additional social workers, who conducted surveys with over 1 500 affected people.
Human Settlements:
• R18-million spent on installing 135 serviced sites at White Location.
• In addition, the department is also currently finalising contracts to restore 45 subsidised houses that were damaged in the fires, as well as to construct 55 new houses for qualifying fire-affected households, at a cost of R13-million. This will ensure that qualifying residents will be better off after the disaster than they were before.
Fire Kranshoek area (Photo Ewald Stander).
Economic Development and Tourism:
• Seconded a senior official to coordinate the Garden Route Rebuild Initiative.
• In the wake of the fires, businesses and tourism suffered, which had an impact on jobs. A skills development workstream was established, led by the department of economic development and tourism. Four areas were prioritised: tourism, construction, business support and environment.
• Thirty people completing a hospitality course and a coding course, offered by the University of the Western Cape, was also made available.
• Support in developing a comprehensive tourism strategy.
Fire Kranshoek area (Photo Ewald Stander).
Agriculture:
Agricultural department officials visited the area, and conducted assessments of the needs.
• R5.5-million was allocated for livestock feed and infrastructure repair to ensure that agriculture, a component of the rural economy, could continue.
Education:
Assessment of, and provision of support to scholars affected by the fires.
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