Children Miss School As Uniforms Destroyed In Philippi Fire

Picture and Words: Sandiso Phaliso / GroundUp

Three brothers in Philippi, Cape Town, were among many children who missed the first day of the school term because their school uniforms were destroyed in a fire which ravaged Kosovo informal settlement on Tuesday.

The fire - the second in less than a month - left more than 100 shacks destroyed and about 500 people displaced, according to residents.

A few people managed to save their personal belongings but those who were at work when the fire broke out on Tuesday afternoon lost everything.

Anele, Anathi and Oluhle Vimba were among those who lost their school uniforms. I don't know how my children will start the school year with nothing. I had their school uniforms and stationery prepared and now this, said the boys' mother Nosakhe Vimba.