The rank and file of the SANDF dug into their pockets to contribute towards supplies for grieving families who lost loved ones during April’s devastating floods in KwaZulu-Natal.
Nokuphiwa Gumbi, 33, from Wushwini in Inanda was among those who received food hampers from the army on Tuesday. She said three of her family members were still missing.
“At this stage we do not have inkling as to their whereabouts,” she said. Gumbi is pinning her hopes on her sister, who was injured in the floods. “She is slowly recollecting the events, even though she is still in pain.”
Members of the family, who live in an RDP house, have vowed not to rest until they find the bodies of Slindokuhle, 13, Asanda, 13, and Lubanzi, 8. “We are still under a very dark cloud. We have to endure sleepless nights and anxiety,” said Gumbi.
She said things were worse when the weather changed, as they feared they might experience another flood.
The former teaching assistant lauded the SANDF for its initiative, saying it would go a long way in assisting them. “All these items that have been shared with us are all much needed.”
Her sentiments were echoed by Mano Gumbi, who walks with crutches since being discharged from hospital. She said she was still reeling from the disaster.
Another recipient, Nonkululeko Mdlalose, said her family was among the worst affected. They buried more than six family members.
“With the help of soldiers we were able to get a tractor which waded through the rubble and we ended up finding three more decomposed bodies in May,” she said, adding that the soldiers were a godsend.
She said they were still waiting for DNA tests to confirm whether those found were members of their family.
Maj-gen Portia Moore, from SANDF transformation management, said the assistance was made possible by several teams countrywide, including the spousal forum, chaplains and state-owned defence procurement agency Armscor.
“All these things that are here are their contributions. This was a quick initiative. It took three weeks. We still have more coming,” she said.
Capt Tshofosto Gwai, who arrived in the province in April, said she saw first-hand the challenges people were facing. “For us it’s been painful witnessing the struggles that people are dealing with every day. We managed to donate canned food and other items.”
Gwai said they were working hard to build bridges, purify water and help with other community-driven initiatives in the area.
SANDF chief Gen Rudzani Maphwanya said South Africans from all walks of life had opened their hearts and pockets to those devastated by the floods. “This includes giving the little they have to ensure that amid all the mayhem and sense of loss ... in the province, hope and promise is restored to the thousands affected.”
He said when SANDF members saw the catastrophic damage to key infrastructure such as bridges, they were dismayed.
To the community, Armscor CEO Solomzi Mbada said: “Let’s share with those who are going through this difficult period. We know what we have brought will never heal the pain you feel. This is just a gesture to ease it.”
The damage prompted President Cyril Ramaphosa to deploy further troops to the province’s worst-affected areas.
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