Hope restored: Taiwan residents rebuild homes with new materials

Smiles lit up the faces of residents of the Taiwan informal settlement when they received building materials on Wednesday, July 23, following a fire earlier this year that destroyed dozens of homes.

The materials were distributed by the Department of Human Settlements in partnership with local ward councillor Khaya Kama. At least 153 beneficiaries gathered in Taiwan to collect supplies aimed at helping them rebuild their homes.

The fire in February left many families without shelter, forcing some to use burnt zinc sheets and salvaged materials to erect temporary structures.

Each recipient received 16 zinc sheets, a door, a window, four poles, six perlin, a packet of nails, and a door latch.

Nokhanyo Dayimane, a resident who lost her home in the fire, said she appreciated the materials. “This will help me and others rebuild our homes. Life will be better now that we can rebuild with proper materials. Credit should go to our local councillor, Mr Kama, for looking after us. We have been crying out for this material, and now he has delivered. We owe it to him and the department that has helped,” she said.

Another beneficiary, Phikiswa Tafu, who had already started rebuilding with old materials, said the new supplies would help her extend her shack. “The materials took time to arrive, so I had to find alternative means to have shelter. I used old materials that were not enough, and I had to stay in a small house with my two children. This assistance makes a huge difference now,” she said.

The mother of two recalled the day she lost everything, saying life would change for good. 

Ms Tafu, who is unemployed, also urged the community to be cautious. “I hope people will not leave stoves and candles lit again,” she said, adding that although the exact cause of the fire remained unclear, rumours suggested it may have started from a stove left on while cooking.

Elliot Ngqandela, another beneficiary, said his shack had been damaged by floods, forcing him to stay in a public hall. “The days of suffering are finally lifted. We suffered during those heavy rains, and we hope they do not return. This material will replace the damaged one, and I am over the moon with this assistance from our councillor. Life was not easy in the public hall at all,” he said.

Councillor Khaya Kama thanked the Department of Human Settlements and the national government for their intervention. “My people have suffered for too long, and now life will be better than it was,” he said.

He noted that many residents had rebuilt their homes using old materials and would now be able to tear them down and rebuild with proper supplies. “It has been a long wait, but we are grateful that it is finally here. Thanks to the media and our national Human Settlements Department for always looking after us,” he said.