Following a fire that tore through the Mangaung informal settlement in Lower Crossroads, on 17 March 2024, leaving over 400 people homeless, Lumkani – a social enterprise providing affordable fire alarms and insurance to informal settlements – partnered with Hollard and Zibonele FM to offer support to the affected community.
On 21 March 2024, Human Rights Day, Lumkani, Hollard and Zibonele FM provided essential aid by serving over 400 meals and distributing 250 blankets to the victims.
The devastating blaze destroyed over 100 shacks, displacing residents and leaving them facing significant loss.
While the road to recovery will be long, there is hope and some residents have already begun rebuilding their homes. Lumkani has also introduced its affordable fire alarm and insurance solutions, specifically designed for informal settlements.
The Lumkani alarm sounds when it picks up a rapid temperature increase in a small space, and then sets off other Lumkani devices within a 60m radius, thus creating a community-wide alert with the aim of containing any blaze and preventing disaster. The device also sends out SMS alerts and can provide GPS coordinates of where the fire was detected. The device is offered with fire protection cover (underwritten by Hollard) of up to R40 000, for a premium of R80 a month.
Lumkani’s presence on the day was welcomed by community members. Portia Gamatele, a community leader in the settlement, said the community appreciates the support: “Abantu abawuvali umlomo – People are left speechless by the kindness shown by Lumkani, Hollard and Zibonele FM.”
Lukhanyise Dyantyi, an existing Lumkani client in the area, said, “Lumkani is here today because we are their clients; they value us and we value their cover.”
Warwick Bloom, Hollard’s Group Strategic Communications Head, commented: “At Hollard, we’re driven by our purpose to enable more people to create and secure a better future. Our partnership with Lumkani allows communities to both protect and insure themselves against the ravages of fire. But we also recognise that we can and should do more, and these soup kitchens are just one more way that we extend support beyond just providing insurance.”
