Activist calls for greater effort in assisting the homeless

With the chilly winter season fast approaching and the growing homelessness scourge in Gauteng, an NGO that works with these vulnerable members of society has highlighted the need for greater joint efforts to assist these individuals.

A young activist from the Unit for Street Homelessness, which is a research and advocacy unit at the University of Pretoria (UP), Remembrance Mokwena-Ngulele, says more needs to be done to address this issue.

“Homelessness cannot be separated from the role of government and the private sector, both of which play a critical role in supporting these initiatives,” Mokwena-Ngulele adds.

“The Department of Social Development also has a key role in enhancing its support for diverse homeless populations, particularly vulnerable groups like children and older adults,” he believes.

According to the latest report by Stats SA, Gauteng has the highest number of homeless people at 46% in comparison to other provinces in the country.

The capital city, Pretoria, has the largest share of homeless people with 18.1% of residents without proper and safe shelter, which is a basic human right.

Homelessness in Mzansi has significantly increased since 1996. It went from 13 135 to 55 719 in 2022.

Stats SA says 66.3% of the homeless in the country have financial-related issues, while 11.7% ended up without homes due to drug and alcohol abuse.

‘These findings align with studies that emphasise unemployment as a major stress factor for poor households in South Africa, often leading to homelessness. Substance abuse, family conflicts, and domestic violence are also commonly identified as contributing factors,” says Mokwena-Ngulele, a qualified Social Worker.

He says while DSD has a great responsibility of enhancing diverse support for the homeless populations particularly, children and older adults, it’s unfortunate that a lot of NGOs have been forced to close their doors due to a lack of finances.

Mokwena-Ngulele says the ongoing housing crisis in the country has worsened this issue.

“Many individuals are unable to afford rent or purchase homes and, consequently, turn to the streets, particularly in metropolitan areas, where they hope to access income opportunities but remain unable to secure housing.”

In August 2023, 76 people lost their lives and 85 others were injured after a fire tore through the Usindiso building in Marshalltown, Johannesburg.

Last year, Sthembiso Mdlalose confessed to having started the blaze in an attempt to conceal the body of a man he had killed in the building.

The building had been highjacked years ago after the provincial Department of Social Development had used it as a shelter for women and children.

This tragic incident didn’t just only laid bare the issue of highjacked buildings in the city and the need for proper housing. It also highlighted the lack of jobs that afford workers quality of life as some of the people who lived in the dilapidated building lived on piece jobs, which paid them pittance.

“NGOs like their accomplish this by offering practical, day-to-day interventions and contribute through research partnerships and collaborations that influence policies and strategies aimed at ending homelessness,” says Mokwena-Ngulele.

https://www.statssa.gov.za/?p=18158#:~:text=Homeless%20children%20under%20the%20age,with%20homelessness%20exacerbating%20their%20risks.