Zille and Zuma stand together in Knysna

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Watch: Zille and Zuma in Knysna Video: @ezaap @TimesLIVE https://t.co/UXpDLRAkrz

President Jacob Zuma and Western Cape Premier Helen Zille on Thursday interacted with Knysna residents who were affected by devastating fires last week.

Reconstruction of Knysna might be my silver lining‚ says builder who lost everything in fireElias Xalipi might have lost everything in the fire that swept through Knysna but he hopes the rebuilding effort might create new opportunities for him. 

According to Zille’s office‚ about 10 000 people were evacuated as fires — fanned by gale force winds — tore through the area.

Several people lost their lives.

On Wednesday the Western Cape cabinet announced that it would direct R75-million to address the damage in Knysna and surrounding areas.