The fire, which occurred during the last week of May, gutted almost the entire RDP house in Danville, Ward 17, and left a single mother and her two children traumatised and in dire need of assistance.
According to a faculty representative, the plight of the family was brought to their attention by Pastor Steven van Rooyen, a local clergyman in Mahikeng. He related the heartbreaking circumstances in which the Louw family found themselves after the fire, and reported that most of the family’s furniture, curtains and clothing were destroyed. After reaching out to Prof Ntebo Moroke (deputy dean), Dr Kezell Klinck (community engagement convener) and Dr Martin Chanza (community engagement coordinator), the faculty, together with Pastor Van Rooyen, set in motion a donation drive to assist the family in their time of need.
Not only did the faculty manage to assist the family with necessities such as food parcels, warm blankets and clothing, but through community collaboration it was also possible to replace the broken windows, repaint the walls and gather much-needed household items.
“When you consider how everybody involved jumped at the opportunity to make a difference and assist this family, it is clear that the NWU’s commitment to an ethic of care is much more than mere lip service,” said Prof Moroke, and added that he was very proud of the way in which the faculty members took hands with the community to make an impact.
At the back, from the left: Dr Kezell Klinck and Dr Martin Chanza. In front is Ms Merlyn Louw, the home owner.
