{"id":295041,"date":"2025-12-16T10:56:11","date_gmt":"2025-12-16T08:56:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/willows-holiday-resort-remains-open-despite-fire-damage\/"},"modified":"2025-12-16T10:58:47","modified_gmt":"2025-12-16T08:58:47","slug":"willows-holiday-resort-remains-open-despite-fire-damage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/willows-holiday-resort-remains-open-despite-fire-damage\/","title":{"rendered":"Willows Holiday Resort remains open despite fire damage"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>GQEBERHA &#8211;<\/strong> The popular Willows Holiday Resort along the Gqeberha coastline will remain open for business as usual this holiday season, despite a blaze that destroyed its maintenance structure and laundry area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fortunately, none of the 13 thatched-roof rondavels at the resort caught fire. The conference centre and other accommodation facilities were also undamaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"386\" height=\"270\" data-attachment-id=\"295043\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/willows-holiday-resort-remains-open-despite-fire-damage\/triple-rondavels\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/triple-rondavels.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"386,270\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"triple-rondavels\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Fortunately, none of the thatch-roofed rondavels at the Willows Holiday Resort were damaged in the blaze.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/triple-rondavels.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kougaexpress.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/triple-rondavels.jpg?fit=386%2C270&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Fortunately, none of the thatch-roofed rondavels at the Willows Holiday Resort were damaged in the blaze.\" class=\"wp-image-295043\" srcset=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/triple-rondavels.jpg 386w, https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/triple-rondavels-300x210.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 386px) 100vw, 386px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fortunately, none of the thatch-roofed rondavels at the Willows Holiday Resort were damaged in the blaze.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The property, which is operated by Madiba Bay Resorts, is one of the most popular summer holiday destinations along the beachfront. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to resort general manager Lesley Daweti, a veldfire that initially started on the landward side from the Summerstrand area on Thursday quickly spread towards the resort due to high winds. &#8220;The fire jumped the road and within minutes was at the back of the maintenance blocks and laundry area,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Daweti praised the firefighters who ensured the damage was contained and prevented it from spreading to the thatched-roof rondavels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Washing machines, dryers and bedding for both Willows Holiday Resort and Willow Grove were damaged. According to Daweti, they were fortunate to restock the bedding with suppliers&#8217; assistance and have since set up a temporary laundry room at Willow Grove.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Daweti said they are still awaiting the assessor&#8217;s report, but he estimates the damage could exceed one million rand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>GQEBERHA &#8211; The popular Willows Holiday Resort along the Gqeberha coastline will remain open for business as usual this holiday season, despite a blaze that destroyed its maintenance structure and 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