Floods Devastate Tongaat Child Welfare’s Charity Fair, Causing R1.5 Million Loss

The Tongaat Child Welfare Society has suffered a devastating setback after floods destroyed preparations for its annual charity fair, leading to a financial loss of R1.5 million. The event, which was expected to draw 20,000 attendees over four days, has now been postponed to August.

This marks the third time the fair has been disrupted by a natural disaster, putting essential community services at risk.

Flood Damage Forces Postponement

The charity fair was set to begin at the Outspan Grounds, but heavy rains caused severe damage, rendering the venue unusable.

Clyde Naidoo, secretary of Tongaat Child and Family Welfare, described the impact as catastrophic.

“All the work undertaken by our management board and volunteers has been in vain,” he said.

Naidoo also blamed municipal neglect for worsening the situation, saying the venue had not been properly maintained, forcing volunteers to take on expensive repairs just to make the fair possible.

Mounting Costs and Losses

Prior to the flooding, the organisation had already spent R239,000 on venue preparations, including:

• R25,000 for cleaning the grounds
• R8,000 for hiring a Bobcat to clear the courts
• R78,000 for temporary fencing
• R128,000 for hiring the venue

Additional costs were expected, as organisers had begun laying material to cover waterlogged areas.

But after the latest storm, repaired fences were destroyed, the grounds became further waterlogged, and electronic rides from Chetty’s Funfair were damaged beyond use.

“This affects not just us but other welfare fairs that rely on these rides for their events,” Naidoo said.

Security was also increased at the venue due to theft, adding to financial strain.

Merchandise and Food Stock Destroyed

The flooding also wiped out the charity shop’s merchandise, which typically generates between R60,000 and R80,000 in profits.

“All the sponsored clothing was damaged or washed away. Even our container with non-perishable food was affected,” Naidoo explained.

Appeal for Support

The repeated disasters have put the organisation’s survival at risk. The fair is the welfare society’s primary fundraising source, covering essential services for vulnerable community members.

“We only receive about 50% of our funding from the state. Without the fair, we face a serious shortfall,” Naidoo said, calling on businesses to step in and assist.

With the event now postponed until August, the organisation is racing against time to recover from the losses and secure the necessary funds to continue its work.

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