October 2005

27 October 2005

Mzwakhe Vanga

On the morning or 27.10.2005 there was a dreadful fire in Masiphumelele - a woman was killed and eight shacks were burnt to the ground.

We hear of these devastating shack fires all the time, but bringing this particular incident closer to home is the fact that one of our monitors was badly affected.

Mzwakhe Vanga has been with the Baboon Monitor Project since its inception. He is one of the original monitors employed and has been a hard-working, loyal employee since 1998.

Mzwakhe knows the baboons extremely well and has recently started to take visitors to "walk with the baboons" - some of you may have enjoyed his knowledge and anecdotes.

Mzwakhe is always cheerful and helpful to residents and is always prepared to go the extra mile for the baboons and for the job.

Today Mzwakhe and his wife lost virtually all their possessions. When I got to them, all they had was literally the clothes they were wearing at the time of the fire. This was through no fault of their own, but because some-one was seeking revenge and set fire to a shack - due to the close proximity of the shacks the eight homes were destroyed as a result of this tragic action.

Baboon Matters would be grateful for any support for Mzwakhe and his family at this time and send whatever contributions you can to Baboon Matters - We will make certain that Mzwakhe, and if possible the other families involved, get whatever is sent through.

The family will be needing clothing, bedding, groceries, cooking utensils and building materials.

Whether you can send a cash donation or take the time to look and see what you have at home that could be useful to this family - just know that everything will be gratefully accepted and much appreciated.

Please contact Jenni on 021 783 3882 or 084 413 9482 for more information.

Donations can be dropped off at the following points:
KEAG offices on Imhoff Farm
13 Clan Monroe Ave (off Lighthouse Road), Kommetjie
The Southern Right Hotel - drop off with Megan at reception.

If you would like to make a financial contribution send it to:

Baboon Matters
Standard Bank - Blue Route
Account No - 27 00365 12
Branch Code - 02 56 09
Denote - M Vanga

Thank you all very much for your support and of course our thoughts and prayers go out to the familes who lost so much.