The latest updates confirm that about 1070 houses were damaged to varying degrees or totally destroyed in the Knysna fire of 7 June; of these around 700 were uninsured in rural, farm, central areas and in informal settlements. Gift of the Givers is commencing the repair and rebuilding of the first hundred homes very soon. The housing project will be supervised by our project manager, Mario Ferreira (082 490 2752), who has a team of engineers and building personnel that will implement the intervention; local labour to support job creation will be prioritised, quality materials will be utilised and “shacks” destroyed will be replaced by RDP homes of a much superior standard. Our aim is to upgrade those affected to a better quality life for their families. Mario has been engaging the municipality and local mayor very successfully and the co-operation has been excellent. Human Settlements Minister, Lindiwe Sisulu, with her Director-general, has met Gift of the Givers, endorses the project and fully supports our intervention. Standard Bank has contributed R5 million to Gift of the Givers for the reconstruction and Global Roofing Solutions has donated 100 000 metres of roof sheeting valued at R3 million. Any further contributions in … ‘Click here to read full article…’