By Khumo Makame
The Hlohlolo family was left with only the clothes on their backs after a devastating fire destroyed their two-roomed shack at 2 pm in Agisanang Informal Settlement, behind the Archives building, Galeshewe, on Monday, 26 October.
The family was also left without shelter following the blaze, which started shortly after 2:15 pm, destroying all of their identity documentation, books, clothes, and food.
The settlement has existed for almost 6 years, comprising around 260 households, and remains without adequate services such as water, sanitation, and electricity.
It is situated adjacent to Sewendelaan Extension, only known as “111 settlements,” which already has an electricity connection.
The ward falls under the former mayor of Sol Plaatje, Kagisho Sonyoni, who served between 2021 and late 2024, but remains the councillor.
The residents depend on paraffin, gas stoves, or wood for cooking, which creates constant fire hazards.
The recent fire is yet another painful reminder of the vulnerability faced by families living in Agisanang, where every spark can destroy a lifetime of effort.
More than 5 shacks have been ravaged by fire since the existence of the settlement, of which a life was once lost at one stage.
A local pastor, Apostle Gregory Adams, said he witnessed the fire after hearing people screaming, and a whistle blowing not far from the incident.
He said there is only one communal toilet and fewer than 5 taps reserved for the entire community, resulting in many digging their own pit toilets in their yards.
Adams said people tried to put out the flames with the little water they had, including soil, but the efforts were wasteful.
“As I was rushing towards the scene, I saw the vicious flames spreading rapidly. The residents rushed to help, but without water or firefighting equipment, they could only watch as the entire home went up in flames,” said Adams.
Lesedi Hlohlolo described how she and everyone could just watch helplessly as the fire destroyed her home, that her 50 year old mother has been trying so hard to build.
According to her, she was visiting neighbours and her mother was at work when the incident started and there was nothing that could have triggered the fire.
She said the family normally uses a coal stove to cook.
Her family includes two siblings and four children with ages ranging from 9, 18 and 20.
“I could only watch helplessly as everything went up in flames. The cause of the fire remains a mystery because we were not cooking on that day. My mom was at work while my siblings were at school,” said Hlohlola.
“Some of the community members said they called the Fire Brigade, which arrived late after the fire had destroyed everything. My mom, who is a domestic worker, also only arrived afterwards as her employer dropped her off.
“Upon my mom’s arrival, her biggest concern was our well-being.”
Apostle Adams criticized the absence water in the settlement while many shacks remain vulnerable to fire.
“We have not had water. The narrow, uneven paths make it nearly impossible for fire trucks to reach the homes in time during emergencies. We only benefit from a few services, and during temporarily during political campaigns,” she remarked.
The Mothibi Foundation started a campaign requesting the community to assist in rebuilding its home, clothes, shoes, and blankets.
Anyone willing to assist is urged to contact 072 5913 278.
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