World Homeless Day celebrated in Ekurhuleni

The Gauteng Department of Social Development, in partnership with the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality and the Ekurhuleni Homeless Forum, commemorated World Homeless Day at the Kempton Park Civic Centre on October 10.

This commemoration happened during Social Development Month, observed annually in October, to mark government’s commitment to care for the most vulnerable in society.

The event brought together provincial and local government departments, civil society, NPOs such as MES Kempton Park and Manger Care Centre from Benoni, and the private sector to promote the collaboration of various stakeholders in delivering effective and efficient services to homeless people.

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The Kempton Express caught up with Department of Social Development social worker, Adele de Bruin.

“The purpose of this celebration today is to make communities aware of the challenges we face with homelessness in Ekurhuleni.

“It is also to get collaborations with all the stakeholders in Ekurhuleni so we can address this together,” she said.

“This is the third event. We had the first one in 2021. We are fortunate to host one again this year.”

In attendance were two men taken in by homeless shelters who shared their experiences.

MES Kempton Park took in Michael Shibulane, and the Manger Care Centre did the same for Jason Mofokeng.

Shibulane sought shelter at MES Kempton Park earlier this year after being left homeless due to drug and alcohol abuse.

“I was referred to MES by a friend. I went there, and they welcomed me with open arms,” he said.

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Shibulane said MES is currently doing enough for homeless people in Kempton Park but they could do with some sponsors so they will be able to cater for more people.

Mofokeng said the Department of Social Development could do more to help homeless people.

“The department does play its part but there’s always room for improvement,” he said.

The founder and director of Revive, David Heritage, was also at the event.

Revive is an NPO in Edenvale that collects food weekly from Woolworths and donates it to about 2 000 struggling families in and around Edenvale.

“We also work with parolees and ex-offenders, helping them with their re-integration and rehabilitation, and we work closely with Boksburg and Benoni community corrections officers,” he said.

In addition, Heritage said Revive’s priority and dream is to build a skills centre for ex-offenders.