MDANTSANE – Dozens of households across Buffalo City have received building materials from the metro to repair homes damaged by storms, offering relief to some of the city’s most vulnerable residents.
According to a Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) statement, its Emergency Unit allegedly distributed supplies to 60 beneficiaries across seven wards, enabling families to undertake repairs and restore a sense of safety after severe weather left roofs leaking, walls cracked and homes exposed to the elements.
Among those assisted is Nobuntu Vellem from Ward 17, who described the intervention as life-changing.
“It is always good to have a municipality that backs you,” said Vellem, praising Executive Mayor Princess Faku and her councillors for their responsiveness.
In Ramaphosa Squatter Camp in NU 9, 74-year-old Nomathamsanqa Jerry received materials after her home was repeatedly damaged by heavy rainfall. She said her house had been leaking whenever storms hit and that she had long been seeking help.
“For me to receive these, I thank God,” said Jerry. “My life will change.”
The statement added that communities in Mdantsane, including Ekuphumleni, Sonwabiso and Zola Park, have also benefited from the relief effort.
Ward 9 recorded the highest number of beneficiaries at 18, followed by Ward 15 with 14 and Ward 17 with 11. Ward 8 had eight beneficiaries, Ward 50 had six, Ward 2 had two and Ward 22 had one, bringing the total to 60 households assisted across the metro.
Behind every figure is a family and a story of hardship, the metro acknowledged, describing its disaster response as being about restoring safety and protecting dignity rather than simply handing out materials.
“When storms destroy roofs, the municipality helps residents put them back,” said beneficiary Zanele Marashule. “Buffalo City Metro would never leave its residents forgotten.”
The metro said it would continue working with affected communities to respond to disasters within available resources and applicable processes, and remained committed to ensuring that vulnerable residents are identified, assessed and supported.
For Marashule, Vellem and Jerry, the materials represent more than construction supplies, they are a chance to rebuild.
