Homeless Mclellan aspires to change his life
Mclellan believes one day he won’t be homeless again.
Twenty-eight-year-old Steven Mclellan, who came to Kempton Park to live with his sister, has been living on the streets for a while.
“I came to Kempton Park under the notion that a better job was available for me,” said Mclellan.
Mclellan is originally from Gqeberha, Eastern Cape.
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“When I got here, my sister was arrested for house break-in so I eventually lost a place to stay. Back home, I was working for a small company. I had enough to sustain myself in Kempton Park for a while but it all ran out eventually.”
Mclellan survives from begging. He is normally spotted around the Kempton Park CBD or by the Cavendish Glen Shopping Centre.
“It has been hard for me, considering the fact that I had a home before. I grew up with my father’s family and had everything I could ask for.
“Many people assume you are using drugs when you beg on the streets. But some of us don’t. Different people choose different ways to survive. I do not use drugs at all, I buy food with all the money I get.
“People aren’t as helpful as they used to because they fear we are carriers of the coronavirus.”
When it comes to drugs he said parents, schools and the government have a role to play to educate the youth.
“Children do as they see. If parents smoke, children will eventually follow suit,” he added.
Mclellan believes that one day he will live a normal life again and go back to school to complete his matric year.
“All I desire is to get a job, clean myself up, get a roof over my head and do well for myself. I need any job as I have skills as a boilermaker. I can work as a panelbeater as well,” said Mclellan.
He thanked organisations that assist homeless people like him with food and clothing.
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