September 2024 will be forever etched into a Tongaat family’s mind as a dream come true from what started off as their worst nightmare in June when a devastating tornado struck Tongaat, leaving homes and lives shattered. Nisha, a single mother caring for her own elderly mother, a cancer survivor, was among the hardest hit, with her house reduced to just four standing walls. The tornado tore through the area with such force that Nisha’s son called her in a panic, desperate to alert her to the devastation.
“When I first learned about the destruction, I received a frantic call from my son,” Nisha recalls. “The area was a disaster zone. I couldn’t even make it to my house. I had to leave my car a distance away and went on foot to try and get home as quickly as possible, to help my family. They were all I could think about. This was one of the hardest days of my life. We were fortunate that when we went to the hospital, my family’s injuries were not critical. I was also lucky enough to be taken in by my cousin, who opened her home to us.”
However, the challenges didn’t end there. “The following day after the tornado, opportunistic people from the area helped themselves to our things that were left behind, and it broke my heart. But I never gave up hope. I stayed and I waited outside our house, hoping someone would come and help us. And then Delyse Bartlett from Devmco Group came just at the right time. She arrived and gave me the biggest hug ever. From that moment onwards, I knew that I was going to get the help we needed,” Nisha says.
Bartlett, quickly connected with Nisha and brought her situation to the attention of Devmco Group. “From the moment we learned about Nisha’s plight, it was so amazing to see how the business reacted and we felt an immediate responsibility to help in any way we could,” says Bartlett. “While Devmco Group was already deeply involved in supporting the broader community affected by the tornado with collections happening at our offices that saw people in need receiving daily supply deliveries, we knew Nisha needed more than just food and essentials. She needed a home.”
Bartlett continued saying, “Nisha’s home was in ruins, and she had nowhere to turn. The entire interior was destroyed, and even her rental income was cut off when her adjacent outbuilding was reduced to rubble. We knew we had to rebuild from scratch, from the plumbing, electrical, roofing, and everything in between”. Coupled with this, the property was not insured.
Within a week of meeting Nisha, the Devmco Group rallied its trusted suppliers and contractors to assess the damage and begin the rebuilding process. Various service providers visited the site to take measurements and determine the scope of the work needed, from plumbing and electrical rewiring to rebuilding the roof and interior.
Devmco’s suppliers were quick to rally behind the initiative, with many offering their services at significantly reduced rates or even free of charge. Over the next three months, this collaborative effort completely transformed Nisha’s home. The project brought together various skilled teams, including LivEng as electrical engineering consultants, KMG as electrical contractors, Sunridge as plumbing suppliers, and Starling Plumbers for plumbing work. Supertec and Chaplin Interiors handled the ceiling supplies and installations, while Lime Green supplied the tiling, and Dunes ETS managed both painting and tiling. Prostar Paints also contributed to the restoration by providing all necessary paints, making it a true community effort to rebuild Nisha’s family home, which had been passed down from generation to generation.
By September 2024, the home was fully restored and Nisha’s family was able to move back in. Devmco Group, alongside their suppliers, provided everything needed to rebuild her life. From essential structural work to furnishing the home with items like beds, linen, a dining room set, and even appliances such as fridges and washing machines.
“I am so grateful for all that Devmco Group and their team have done for us,” Nisha says. “They have restored my home, they have given us our lives again, and they’ve given us hope for an even better future. I am grateful to each and every single supplier who came and treated us with dignity and respect throughout this whole process. I’m grateful to each and every individual from the team who not only gave of their time but also gave in the form of furniture, appliances, and more.” Beyond the contributions of the companies, Devmco’s shareholders personally donated to ensure that Nisha’s family home was not just restored but also fully equipped for a fresh start.
“I recall the first night we slept in our home,” Nisha shares. “I could feel the excitement within me, it was bubbling over. I was excited to be coming home. I didn’t expect everything that was done for me. I didn’t expect to have new furniture. The team elevated my house to a high-value home in a way that I could not have ever imagined. I honestly don’t know where I would be today if it weren’t for Devmco and everyone who helped rebuild my home. They didn’t just give me a roof over my head, they gave me my life back.”
Brad Winstanley, Commercial Director of Devmco Group adds, “As a company, we believe in adding value to our community beyond just doing business locally. We’re here to make a difference. It was inspiring to see how everyone from our team, suppliers, and even members of the public, came together to support Nisha and others affected by this tragedy. I’m incredibly proud of what was achieved through this outreach initiative and the joy and relief it has brought to Nisha and her family.