Western Cape Premier Helen Zille has announced the establishment of a Garden Route Rebuild Initiative.
The initiative will develop a rebuilding strategy for the area and identify where public and private funds can best be spent.
Read: Knysna Tourism implores visitors to attend Oyster Fest after devastating fires
Zille says the initiative will work closely with the several Garden Route municipalities affected by the destructive fires which hit early June.
It's going to be done in concert with the local municipalities so they are able to set priorities and ensure that funds got to the right targeted places.
— Helen Zille, Western Cape Premier
The wildfires in the Eden District recently claimed the lives of seven people and displaced thousands.
Hundreds of properties were also damaged and destroyed.
Zille says that all three tiers of government will collaborate on the initiative.
She explains that the initiative will also launch skills programmes to enable local residents to participate in the rebuilding process and build cohesion in the communities.
The project will also make an effort to reignite employment and kick-start the Garden Route economy after the fire left many residents jobless.
Take a listen to her explain:
![[WATCH] Khayelitsha commuters fight to cram into overcrowded taxi](http://cdn.primedia.co.za/primedia-broadcasting/image/upload/fl_progressive,q_80/c_fill,g_faces,h_68,w_68/u6okaag1ndtbrmfn9kld.jpg)
