A KwaZulu-Natal family has opened its 20-hectare farm to 143 foreign nationals, including children, who were displaced during the recent xenophobic attacks.
Andrew and Rae Wartnaby, both 47, from Hope Farm in Killarney Valley in Cato Ridge, said they were heartbroken when they heard that the eThekwini municipality was closing the single remaining camp for displaced foreigners in Chatsworth last week.
The couple’s hearts sank further when they heard that foreigners had been arrested and separated from their children on Friday after illegally occupying the camp.
“On Friday we received a message from a friend informing us that they had arrested all the people and separated them from their families, so we went to Chatsworth police station to find out how we could help,” Andrew said.
“Welfare was there. They separated the children and they put everyone in jail and the children were taken away to a children’s home.”
The couple spent the weekend speaking to lawyers and offering help.
“The lawyers said if these people have somewhere to go, then they will be able to sort out the charges and get the families reunited. So we said that we have space, we can do it,” he said.
The couple spoke to the lawyers and prosecutors and a decision was taken not to prosecute the foreign nationals.
“The next thing we heard was that they are releasing them and bringing the children back. We then suddenly realised that we didn’t know how we were going to get them to here and where all these people were going to sleep, but we have had so much help,” said Andrew.
Most of the families are from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi.
So they cook their own breakfast, lunch and supper. Our plan is to set them up with their own families in their own tents. Everyone is going to have their own plate and spoons,” said Rae.
The couple is appealing to the public for help.
“We need anything that you need in your home. If everyone gives us a plate and a spoon, we would have enough. We urgently need mattresses and blankets.
“Gift of the Givers, the South African Council of Churches, Islamic Relief and various churches will be assisting us from Wednesday,” she said.
The couple who have 11 children – two foster, two biological, and the rest adopted – said they were used to having a full house.
“We have looked after foster children since we got married in 1990. This is the first time we have done this on such a big scale,” said Rae.
-news24