Cape Town - Homeless organisations are calling for better ways to improve the lives of those living on the streets as part of World Homeless Day.
The day was observed on Monday to raise awareness on the issues of homelessness and inadequate housing.
Ladles of Love founder and chief executive, Danny Diliberto, said homelessness was not going away and there should be better ways to tackle it.
“We should reflect on the fact that not only is homelessness not going away, but that it is becoming worse with what is going on around the world.
Homelessness does not only happen in our city but is a global issue, and we as a community need to accept that homelessness is not going anywhere and that throwing anger and hate towards it is not going to improve the situation, instead it’s going to make it worse.
“The City needs to urgently come together with organisations that are working with homelessness to find a better way of improving our homeless community,” he said.
Bonisile Nqono, 44, from the Eastern Cape, said he found himself homeless in Cape Town when his employer died.
“It’s been four years now that I am in Cape Town.
“I used to work before my boss died and I struggled to find work afterwards. I used to stay in Gugulethu, but after he passed away I could not pay rent.
“I think about going home but I have no money to take home.
“I have two children in the Eastern Cape,” he said.
Nqono said food and shelter were among the challenges he struggled with living on the street.
Another homeless man, Riedwaan Isaacs, said he left home when he was 10.
“My parents always fought and I just got fed up and I left. I have been living on the street for 27 years.
“For me, it’s always been good living here. I watch people’s cars just to make a bit of money,” Isaacs said.
A mobile wash service was launched this year to help bring dignity and hope to the homeless.
The “washbus” has four hot water showers and four toilets, divided for male and female use.
The project is a collaboration between Viva Con Agua, U-Turn and Baz-Art.
Meanwhile, Obz Rainbow House residents in Observatory have started a fund-raising campaign to pay rent, water bills, rates and taxes necessary to keep the house going.
The Rainbow House is a home for people who used to live on the street and are looking to start afresh.
Yusrah Bardien of Ndifuna Ukwazi said: “This World Homeless Day, we applaud the residents of Rainbow House for their incredible effort and determination to create a self-sustaining transitional home to end homelessness.
“We recognise people like Ilsa Roberts, who opened their homes to people who needed somewhere to live, particularly during the Covid pandemic, where being at home was a life-saving and legislated requirement.
“Though this project hasn’t been without its challenges, as is to be expected on a pioneering journey, we call on the public to keep supporting Rainbow House through their BackaBuddy fund-raiser. This will keep up the morale and momentum of this groundbreaking initiative.”
A link to the BackaBuddy site can be viewed here: https://www. backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/ ilsa-roberts-5402532572511067071
Cape Times