KNYSNA FIRE ANNIVERSARY

Tomorrow is June 7. How did the 3rd anniversary of the Great Knysna Fire get here so quickly? The images are scorched into my brain as if it were months ago.

A flame will burn for 1 week atop the Mike Hampton and Love Knysna Facebook pages. It has burned within me for 3 years, and will continue to do so until there’s justice for our dead, the many who became unemployed, those who lost their homes and businesses, and those who continue to be displaced.

THE HORRIFICALLY UGLY AND CRUEL

Damn fake charities, others that robbed us, and the pine-cone-hearted politicians who screwed us. Damn RE/MAX for screwing me.

A benefit of the coronavirus is that the Knysna Municipality cannot host a memorial service this year. If they fake caring on Facebook, ask them to respond the same day with exactly what happened with the donations, and why no one has been punished for insulting us with that fraudulent fire investigation that was only meant to cover their arses.

The ACDP, ANC, COPE and DA are united in the cover-up against us.

THE MAGNIFICENTLY BEAUTIFUL AND FABULOUS

The terrible things that the politicians have done to me have never made me cry. The tears in the corners of my eyes are for those who were kind. I’m imagining your faces right now…

My pulsing veins thank those who gave me shelter (a hotel, 2 self-catering flats and, for the longest period, my ex-neighbour’s garage).

Thank you to Otherworld Tattoo in Pledge Square who immediately converted themselves into a charity shop – my only pair of takkies remains a pair an American film director took off his feet and gave to them because he was so emotional at the great job they were doing. I got clothes from Otherworld as well as the wonderful volunteers beneath Kloppers – I still have the jacket.

There were people who bought me a meal, or put money in my hand to buy one. There was also a lovely soul who told me, “This R50 is to buy yourself beer, you deserve it.” Wimpy in Knysna Mall, with its smiley waitresses and barista, became a hangout for many. The flames and smoky hills may have made Winter warmer for two weeks but that big cup of coffee was still needed at 7am. Knysna Waterfront and Turbine Hotel were fab hangouts too.

I won’t mention his location but bow to the pharmacist who gave me meds without the required prescription. Without prednisone, my asthmatic lungs would never have survived that continuous smoke.

Thank you to the Gordon MacMillan and his fellow Freemasons, Renier and Alecia from Amway, Gift of the Givers, Judah Square, The Lions Club and, especially, Knysna Fires in Need – you were helpful to me and so many others. It’s guaranteed I’ve forgotten people – sorry!

Thank you to those brave citizens, firemen and firewomen who fought the fire!

Thank you to Afriforum and Dr Klatzow.

Thank you to my sister and my father.

BEAUTY AND SMOKE

I don’t have a life where I am. I haven’t made friends, I haven’t tried. I breathe in Knysna, her beauty and her smoke. Know that she’s remained my #1 priority, and that I’ve dedicated these years fighting for her.

On Facebook, every hour on June 7, I will post reminders of the good and bad things that happened.

NB: It’s 8pm now. My mind lay trapped by Knysna the whole day. I’ve posted something I hope you consider important, take to heart, think deeply about, and share – ‘This is what we still don’t know about the Knysna Fire, and why it’s affecting us today’