Cape Town authorities have appealed for public donations to assist residents of the Island informal settlement in Khayelitsha who were displaced after severe flooding last week. The City’s Disaster Risk Management (DRM) unit reports that the deluge affected 83,184 people living in 21,546 dwellings across the metropolitan area, with the Island settlement bearing the brunt of the damage.
Heavy rains caused water to inundate homes of more than 5,000 residents along Baden Powell Drive, submerging personal belongings, furniture, blankets, clothing and essential documents. Many families have been forced to seek temporary shelter with relatives or neighbours while the city works to provide emergency accommodation.
Residents described the conditions as dire. “Our food is wet, everything we own is wet,” said Zukiswa Mbeka, who lost most of her household supplies. Long‑time inhabitant Mandisi Mgagi highlighted the danger posed by illegal electricity connections that many households rely on, noting that the storm‑related power outages increased the risk of fire and electrocution. “It is no secret that we ‘steal’ electricity because we do not have formal connections,” he said, adding that road‑milling material could help raise the ground level and reduce future flooding.
Matsedezo Sheron Phika, whose home was also flooded despite attempts to reinforce it with cement, recounted the hardship of having to cook without a functional kitchen and waiting for the weather to clear so she could dry her child’s clothes. “I had just recovered from tuberculosis,” Phika added, underscoring the vulnerability of many affected households, many of which lack basic items such as gumboots and must wade through water in sandals.
Community leaders have mobilised to provide immediate relief. Banele Ntabeni, a member of the local committee, opened his home to displaced families and slept on a bench after giving up his own bedroom. The committee is reaching out to churches and community halls to secure additional temporary shelters. Nomfundo Joka, secretary of Phase 2 of the settlement, confirmed that the DRM supplied forms for residents to register for assistance.
Ward 96 councillor Lucky Mbiza said the city had previously warned residents about the settlement’s location on a flood‑prone wetland. He has taken officials to the site to illustrate the extent of the damage and to discuss possible interventions. “The City said it will provide milling to raise or elevate houses and other materials, but there is a process… I cannot say by when this will be done,” Mbiza told reporters.
In a statement, DRM spokesperson Charlotte Powell said humanitarian relief efforts are ongoing. Several NGOs, including Ashraful Aid, Gift of the Givers, Islamic Relief and Mustadafin, have supplied hot meals and blankets. The South African Social Security Agency and the Department of Social Development are also providing support.
The city has established donation drop‑off points at multiple fire stations for non‑perishable food, personal hygiene items, nappies, baby formula, blankets and bedding. Powell urged the public to prioritize vulnerable households and to help channel assistance through the appropriate mechanisms.
Recovery is expected to take several days, if not longer, as residents await the completion of drainage works and the elevation of homes. The flood underscores the ongoing challenges of informal settlements situated in high‑risk zones and the need for coordinated, long‑term solutions to prevent similar crises in the future.
