In June 2017, wildfires spread across the Eastern Cape Province, affecting areas from Sedgefield to Plettenberg Bay, including the town of Knysna, leaving over 8000 people homeless. The devastation in the area has resulted in families from formal and informal suburbs seeking urgent relief supplies and support. Although many private and government institutions have already come to the aid, there are still many families in need of basic personal and business supplies.

Smart Office Connexion, a local managed print and document solutions company in the Eastern Cape, donated R100,000 to Rotary Club Knysna. Breaking away from its traditional annual events, such as the prestigious annual golf day, Smart Office Connexion Eastern Cape decided to instead donate the money it would have spent on the events to the community.

Rotary South Africa, a non-profit organisation, gives aid to communities, families and businesses all around the world through their network of volunteers, and worked closely with the Eden/Knysna Municipality to come to the aid of those affected by the Eastern Cape wild fires.

Marcel De Ridder, General Manager of Smart Office Connexion South Western District (SWD) said, “Our thoughts go out to the Knysna community and surrounding areas. We believe that in partnering with Rotary we are able to contribute to an organisation who has the necessary infrastructure and community relationships to ensure the funds are well managed and allocated”.

Doug Emanuel from Rotary Knysna club accepted the R100,000 cheque at the Smart Office Connexion Knysna offices on the third of October from Marcel De Ridder and his SWD team.

“We are very thankful for the donation from Smart Office Connexion and many other private individuals and organisations who have contributed to the rebuilding of the Eastern Cape community. Our Knysna Rotary Club Fire Relief Committee has put in a tremendous amount of effort in assisting the community and making sure that the funds received are going to the right people,” says Doug Emanuel, president of Rotary Club of Knysna.