LAST year I wrote a story about a homeless man, Jabu Dume, and his dog, who slept in the mangroves near Virginia Beach. Jabu only had one possession that he truly cared about: his dog, Patti. He slept on the beach, and Patti would often lie next to him, shielding him from the cold, sandy wind. They spent all of their time together and he always made sure she had food, even if he didn’t have any himself.
Following the article was an incredible outpouring of support for the duo, who captured the hearts of Durban North and uMhlanga residents. In fact it did more than that. Aside from a number of food parcels (for Patti and Jabu) and clothes, the article also secured a job at a construction company for Jabu for a short time.
However, in November he was told he needed a ID book, something he’d never had in his life. Jabu has lived on the street since he was 16, washing cars and surviving off the scraps he found in trash cans or from people giving him food.
So he ventured to the Home Affairs offices in Durban and stood in a queue for two days, being pushed from one office to the next all in the hope of securing a piece of paper to validate his existence.
I can now report, despite the hullabaloo experienced at home affairs, Jabu has his first ID book, albeit a temporary one.
“I feel fantastic and extremely happy,” he says, waving the folded piece of paper in front of me. “It’s opened a new world for me, hopefully to work again, but also to have a place I can rent and call home for me and Patti.
“It was a very hard process getting this piece of paper but it’s all worth it,” he enthusiastically smiled.
Jabu has now found employment for three months with the new pop-up restaurant on Virginia Beach, and thanked the community for all their help.
“I’m so grateful to all the residents who have brought food for Patti and for all the help. My life is changing in ways I never dreamed of,” he said.
If you are willing to help Jabu and Patti contact the Northglen News offices on 031 572 3749.
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