Sunnyside police reach out to the homeless on #MandelaDay
The event took place against the backdrop of the recent killings of homeless people in Muckleneuk and Sunnyside.
The Sunnyside police and the Habesh community forum joined hands in helping the homeless this Mandela Day.
Food parcels, toiletries and other necessities were donated to the Homeless Uplifment Projects Centre in Sunnyside on Thursday.
Police spokesperson Captain Danile Mavimbela said the initiative was aimed at encouraging an inclusive attitude towards the homeless.
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“Some of the greatest lessons that Mandela taught was that we should not discriminate and this is one of the ways,” he said.
“This is a platform for us to get closer to the homeless community.”
Police also treated the homeless to a breakfast.
The event took place against the backdrop of the recent killings of homeless people in Muckleneuk and Sunnyside.
Five middle-aged homeless men were killed at night while asleep.
“With this intended gesture, this partnership seeks to restore a sense of hope within the homeless community and make them feel that besides being seen as part of the society, they are also not forgotten.”
A homeless man, Khutso Maoko (18), said the day was a reminder of the opportunities created for the youth to be educated and employed.
“We can never forget Madiba’s contribution towards the freedom of South Africans, even in our own struggles we remember him,” he said.
“Despite being here, I was able to study IT at the Tshwane University of Technology because of the sacrifices made.”
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Maoka said he became homeless when he left home after a disagreement with his family.
He said he was searching for greener pastures and was hoping his qualification would come in handy.
“We rely on gestures such as these, but we also have dreams.”
The chairperson of the Habesh community forum, Eskedar Melisew, said the forum wants to show solidarity and support the homeless.
“This day teaches us humanity and although we do not have much, we are sharing the little that we do have.”
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