Johannesburg – The destructive blaze that consumed the Usindiso building in Marshalltown has tragically taken the lives of at least 77 people, leaving behind a profound sense of sorrow and desolation. In a world frequently characterised by divisions, it was truly heartening to witness the strength of solidarity and empathy within communities as various organisations and individuals rallied together to offer aid and solace to the grieving families, a gesture that was particularly poignant as seven Muslim individuals were laid to rest last night.
In the face of tragedy, the Saaberie Chishty Society, Jamiatul Ulama, Fordsburg Muslim Youth Organisation (FYMO), and the Central Islamic Trust acted swiftly, united by a deep sense of duty and empathy. This rapid response beautifully showcased the core of community spirit, going beyond any boundaries or affiliations, as highlighted by Moulana Anees Kara from FYMO.
“Our South African Muslim community is something else. The minute something happens, we all stand together and we make a plan to sort out the problem. We got put on to standby from our Ameer (leader). In terms of the FYMO, the burial division. We were put on standby already from Thursday evening to say that there might be quite a number of Muslims that are victims or casualties of the fire. Our Ameer was in discussions with the leadership of the other organisations and the plan was put into place.”
Moulana Kara also made mention of Yunus Amanjee, who was the liaison between the burial organisations and mortuaries, and played a crucial role in organising and facilitating the necessary steps. His concerted efforts, along with those of several other crucial individuals, culminated in the swift development of a comprehensive plan to address the urgent need for dignified burials for the victims.
Challenges and uncertainty
One of the most challenging aspects of the tragedy was the extent of damage to the victims’ remains, said Moulana Kara. Many bodies were burnt beyond recognition, making identification a daunting task. As of now, the fate of many individuals remains uncertain, pending DNA testing to confirm their identities.
“We’ve been told that there were around 12 to 13 bodies that are Muslim. So far eight have been identified and buried. The other five, we are unsure of at this point what is going to happen. We have to first wait for the government and forensic pathology to send off the DNA to CSIR in Pretoria. It’s a long process and at this moment in time, we can’t say how many more Muslims [will need to be buried]. We hope there aren’t anymore and we also can’t speak on behalf of the other religions in terms of what the process is going to be. I can just tell you it’s going to be a long tedious process to sort out this problem.”
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The weight of grief
The impact of this tragedy was felt deeply, especially by a man who lost five family members in the fire. His heart-wrenching grief serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of such incidents. It is a testament to the strength of the community that rallied around him and others in their darkest hour.
“After the janazah (the burial) you saw the tears in his eyes. The whole family was wiped out at one go. When looking at him you can see the grief that he’s going through. Out of the seven that we buried last night, five were from his particular family. It’s not an easy sight to see. It’s a very difficult thing to see.”
Many attended the burial of Mariam Kiati, Yasin Time, Hadija Mbwajira, Halima Jackson, Mohamad John, Mariam Mofati, and Fatima Joh. Amongst them was Irfaan Mangera from Rise Msanzi, who said it was “deeply painful” to be burying seven people. He praised the solidarity shown by the Muslim community but also urged organisations and the public to not forget the vulnerable anymore.
“I think we forget we are dealing with human beings and so it is important for us as activists, leaders, organisations to remain committed to that goal of humanitarianism and ensuring that we put people’s lives first before anything else … I think we must continue building on that for all these families who are affected and who are often left vulnerable and on the sidelines of society. They are not prioritised in our conversations about national questions. My appeal to the public is to continue making your donations but let’s have these conversations about how we support families and communities like those who are constantly disenfranchised.”
Shakeel Garda, MSA Union president, expressed his condolences on behalf of the MSA and the Muslim community. He also pointed out that while Johannesburg is an “urban space” this tragic incident is something “symptomatic of a decay in our society of protecting not only buildings but people”.
Beyond the burial
While the burials provide a measure of closure, the road to recovery for the affected families is long and arduous. They face the daunting challenge of rebuilding their lives after such a devastating loss. It’s here that the true essence of community support shines. Several organisations, like FYMO, are committed to providing ongoing support. This includes housing assistance, psychosocial services, and counselling to help the affected families heal and regain stability.
The tragic events in Marshalltown underscore the power of unity and compassion within a community. They serve as a reminder that, in times of adversity, we can come together to provide support and solace to those in need. The journey to healing is ongoing, and it is our hope that these efforts will continue to uplift the spirits of the affected families and the entire community.
