Warm Showers and Dignity: Kempton Park Homeless Receive Support

At least 15 homeless individuals in Kempton Park received warm showers and clean clothes on June 9, thanks to the Gauteng Department of Social Development’s Homeless Reality Tour.

In partnership with funded NPOs MES Homeless Shelter and Manger Care Centre, the department brought two mobile wash buses to the corner of Swart and Thistle roads.

The initiative is part of a broader strategy to support homeless individuals ahead of the cold and rainy winter season.

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Khanyisile Mathebula, the department’s director for families, homelessness, older persons, and persons with disabilities, said the project aligns with a call from the Premier to expand services to the homeless and restore their dignity through accessible, mobile outreach.

“Social Development is responsible for services to the homeless, and we were tasked with leading this effort in the province.

We have various programmes, in collaboration with stakeholders, that provide not only shelter and safe spaces but also skills development, job placement, and help with CV writing,” said Mathebula.

She explained that the department’s homelessness strategy prioritises people living on the streets. Social workers visit known hotspots to engage directly with homeless individuals and assess their willingness to accept support.

“Two people have already expressed their desire to go to a shelter — that’s the first step toward rehabilitation and reintegration,” she said.

“Our aim is not to force anyone off the streets but to support them in making a change.”

Mathebula also highlighted the importance of drop-in centres as entry points for reintegration.

“We call them drop-in centres because people drop in from the streets. These centres are crucial in reconnecting them with supportive services,” she said.

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The wash buses — offering access to showers, ablution facilities, and laundry services — will continue to rotate through areas across the province as part of the outreach plan.

Adele de Bruin, acting director for the eastern corridor of the Gauteng Department of Social Development, added:

“We are in Kempton Park with our mobile wash buses to address the needs of the homeless.

“We’ve provided showers and clean clothing. We worked with partners such as the City of Ekurhuleni and the Department of Health to deliver further support.”

Andrew Wessels, secretary of Manger Care Centre, said the organisation has offered holistic care to the homeless for decades.

“When people come to us, we provide social work services, psychosocial support, and healthcare. Once evaluated, we create individual development plans that include an exit strategy. Our beneficiaries go through SETA-accredited training programmes,” he said.

He noted that the centre began 40 years ago with a single caravan and has since grown into one of Gauteng’s largest homeless support organisations.

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Wessels acknowledged that not all homeless individuals are immediately ready to leave street life.

“For many, life on the streets is how they survive and make an income. But we are encouraged when someone takes a step toward rehabilitation.

“Two people today committed to going to rehab. While not everyone is ready for that step, we are grateful they appreciated the services offered.”

He added that many individuals they spoke to shared that abandonment by their families contributed to their current circumstances.