Ex-con pastor giving back to his community

After being imprisoned for many years then living on the streets, pastor Freddy Situmbeko of Centurion has turned his life around to become an inspirational figure.

Situmbeko started a business shortly after his release from a five-year-long prison sentence but when it went insolvent, he was forced to sleep in the streets.

For almost a year, he lived on the corner of Pritchard and Small streets in Johannesburg outside the Methodist church with refugees for most of 2013.

During this year of destitution, the pastor was able to stay afloat by doing odd jobs such as washing cars and tending to people’s gardens.

“I managed to get back on my feet with the help of very kind and caring strangers.

“They saw that I am a hard-working person and they were able to get me a few jobs here and there.

“I am now a pastor, author and motivational speaker.

“My goal in life is to help those who have been affected by job losses due to Covid-19 and the looting that took place last year.

“I have written and published a children’s book called The Magic Mask and other books about my journey from prison to homelessness to getting back on my feet,” he said.

The majority of the proceeds from the book sales go directly to buying groceries for communities in need.

Situmbeko does a lot of research before he chooses who to help.

“I can’t help everybody, so I try and identify people who find themselves in seriously desperate situations.

“For example, a mother whose shack was burnt down and she and her children have no place to go and nothing to eat,” he said.

He has currently set his sights on the Lyttelton community centre where he hopes to donate clothes and blankets.

Situmbeko lived in Lyttelton for many years and knows the community very well.

“I used to have a food stand there and I’ve seen how bad the homelessness and drug use is here,” he said.

The community centre has a homeless shelter which Situmbeko wants to help.

“When I went there I saw there is more need than I initially thought.

“While I will be looking at donating blankets, the people there are also in need of food,” he said.

The pastor hopes to reach out and help as many people in need as possible.

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