The expected celebrations and festivities of Heritage Day and the all-day-long-braaing of Braai Day, came to a crashing standstill last weekend when the skies opened, wreaking havoc in the Boland, Overberg and beyond.
Although suffering flooding here and there, Paarl and Wellington were not as badly affected as other areas. Unlike Franschhoek, which should actually have been declared a disaster zone.
Houses, shops and restaurants saw torrents of water flowing through them. Multiple landslides took place and roads and bridges were washed away.
For weeks to come Franschhoek will be licking its wounds.
But what did come to light during this disaster was basic ubuntu, where the town stood together with all assisting in the mop-up operations as well as seeing to those who are less fortunate.
Franschhoek also stood out during the Covid pandemic, when the entire town got together to feed the poor and uplift the community in that very difficult time.
All too often we turn a blind eye to those in need. Therefore it is heart-warming to see communities stand together as well as people from so many different walks of life joining forces with others to lead them to safety.
Alone we can do nothing, but as a community we can rebuild bridges.
