Read: South African expat in UK raises R280 000 to aid victims of Knysna inferno

words by Natalie Emmerson

Knysna is no stranger to fire, we have become used to the sounds and sight of the helicopter scooping up water from the lagoon to douse the flames which is why when I checked my phone at midday and found several messages from my sister regarding the fire and smoke I can honestly say I wasn’t shocked.

Later that afternoon I became more concerned hearing about the residents of Belvedere and Brenton being evacuated by boat but it wasn’t until that evening when I needed to ask my sister if she was prepared and packed, did she have a carrier for her cats and is my gran ready to evacuate the home she has spent my lifetime in, that it hit me…. our home, Knysna, was burning to the ground and people were fleeing.

Frozen, I sat, in a small Kent home, in England, so far away! I felt helpless, I knew I had to help. Opening a Go Fund me campaign while I lay awake with worry, I had no idea where the funds would go but I knew there would be a need and that this was all I could do from so far away.

The next day I was overcome with emotion, the devastation was immense, apocalyptic even, but people opened their hearts and purses and gave what they could. The power of unity is so great, I’m so proud to be a South African and a human being at times like these, everyone putting in a little bit and even friends here in the U.K., completely “untouched” by this disaster yet sympathetic and supportive seeing those in need.

The toughest decision to make has been what to use everyone’s donations for, I felt a protective responsibility that I was not expecting. I thought for a bit of my home……and then I started to remember that there are always the dedicated few in Knysna, those who have always been there for us, who always drop everything, who go above and beyond and never ask anything in return –

The local NSRI, as long as I can remember every close friend I’ve had has had a family member involved in the NSRI, dad’s, brothers, a sister even, always rushing out of a braai, racing to a rescue, no questions asked.

The Rotary, the eternal fundraisers, there is never a local cause they are not supporting and campaigning for.

And finally Knysna Animal Welfare, a small non-profit looking, after all, our fur babies, these are the people we always turn to when Knysna is in need and I think I speak for all locals when I say we will rest a little easier at night knowing these teams of people are doing all they can to keep everyone safe.

If you’d like to contribute, head on over to the GoFundMe page set up to help those affected by the fires.