He is now based in Cape Town but his partner was born and raised in Knysna. It was that connection that prompted him to donate $100‚000 (R11.9m) to the victims of the fire after hearing about its devastating effect on the Western Cape Garden Route town.
His trust donated R13‚200 towards electricity connection fees in White Location. “It was such a struggle using a paraffin stove‚ candles and so forth‚ and it was a very dangerous situation that could create more fires. I am very happy now because my TV and fridge is connected‚” said one of the beneficiaries‚ Mkhuseli Mankayi.
The Knysna municipality said in a statement that the donation had helped families prepare lunches and iron uniforms as their children returned to school in January.
Ward 4 Councillor and Planning and Integrated Human Settlements Chairperson‚ Velile Waxa said: “I would like to thank you for making the electrification of these houses possible. I am humbled by your generosity.”
Hundreds of homes were destroyed and seven people died in the fires which raged in Knysna and Plettenberg Bay.