Police in the Southern Cape have arrested a 20-year-old woman for allegedly kidnapping a baby in Knysna. It is alleged that the woman, who is a friend of the mother of the child, visited her at her Concordia home on Saturday afternoon and took the three-month-old baby under false pretences and disappeared. Police spokesperson, Chris Spies, says they then launched an intensive search which led to the arrest of the […]
With different sets of challenges of Muslims in small towns and rural areas, a senior delegation of ulema from the Muslim Judicial Council set off on a journey this week to foster a relationship with shuyookh in the Garden Route. The Da’wah Caravan trip, which started last weekend, was a form of engagement to promote and support the growth of Islam in the Overberg. Among the delegation was MJC president […]
A spark was all that was needed for a massive fire which left seven people dead in Knysna to rage out of control as conditions were ideal, said Knysna chief fire services officer Colin Manuel on Monday. Presenting his investigation into the causes of the fire that led to the evacuation of the town and the damage and destruction to about 1000 houses, he blamed the humble pine cone, often […]
Not entirely satisfied with tackling the gravity of the human impact of last week’s disastrous fires in Knysna, the Gift of the Givers (GOTG) will now work towards rehabilitating the Cape Bee. The massive fires in the Southern Cape wrecked claimed the lives of seven people, and destroyed homes, businesses, pets, horses, livestock and the environment. More than 300 beehives were destroyed, with each hive holding roughly 60 000 bees. […]
"Our hearts are broken. We never expected to see such devastation. Hundreds are homeless and their lives have been torn apart." This is how social activist, Yusuf Abramjee, described the disaster in Knysna shortly after arriving in the area on a humanitarian mission. #OperationSA and the Al-Imdaad Foundation launched an urgent #CapeRelief fund on Thursday following the raging fires along the Garden Route and the storms in and around Cape […]
Between 3 000 to 4 000 people are still displaced in Knysna after being evacuated from a fire that threatened to engulf the town this week, local authorities said on Friday. "Some areas that were evacuated have been declared safe and people from those areas have been allowed to return home," said local government spokesperson James Brent-Styan in the latest situation report. "In areas that have NOT been declared safe, […]
After two days of devastating fires across the Garden Route –- which saw thousands of residents displaced and more than 300 lose their homes -– locals and emergency workers could breathe a hopeful sigh of relief on Thursday night when most fires had been contained. The worst affected areas include Knysna where authorities confirmed that about 3,000 residents had been evacuated as large parts of the coastal holiday town went […]
Following devastating scenes of Knysna residents watching their town be engulfed in raging flames and the town being officially declared a disaster zone, the fire is yet to be contained. This while helicopters are preparing to start water bombing hot spots in Knysna, Plettenberg Bay and other Garden Route areas. Firefighting crews worked throughout Thursday evening to prevent flare-ups as many blazes were contained, but not under control. At least […]
Humanitarian organisations from around the country are scrambling to assist with relief operations in Knysna, which has been left devastated by a massive fire. The Knysna Muslim Council (KMC) has opened up the doors of its salah khana to residents of Hornlee, affected by the fires that have ravaged parts of the tourist town. He said many homes were completely burnt down. “It’s very difficult and trying time. Some families can’t […]
VOC became the first Muslim radio station in South Africa when a special events license was granted to the station in Ramadan/January 1995. Subsequent temporary broadcast licenses were granted, permitting the station to broadcast for 24 hours.
