MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko visits Wembley Homeless Shelter to boost skills development
A Turffontein shelter created during the pandemic is focusing on long-term rehabilitation and employment training for vulnerable men.
Gauteng Social Development MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko urged a greater focus on skills development to help homeless people rebuild their lives and gain self-reliance during an oversight visit to the Wembley Homeless Shelter in Turffontein on September 2.
The visit formed part of the department’s monitoring of facilities providing services to vulnerable communities.
Established in March 2020 in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the shelter is funded by the Gauteng Department of Social Development.
It offers temporary accommodation and support to destitute South African men aged 19 to 59.
Nkomo-Ralehoko commended the facility for providing a safe space and stressed that support must extend beyond basic needs.
“Our responsibility is not only to provide people with a roof over their heads and meals, but also to create pathways that enable them to rebuild their lives. Skills development must be strengthened as it can help beneficiaries gain confidence, discipline and the ability to become economically active and self-reliant,” she said.
Support programmes available
The shelter provides psychosocial support, medical access, nutritional assistance, substance abuse interventions and personal hygiene packs.
Beneficiaries receive temporary accommodation, three meals daily and access to ablution facilities. Developmental sessions and skills programmes aim to improve employment prospects and social reintegration.
Shelter manager Joey Monane said the facility follows a client-centred approach tailored to individual circumstances.
“Our programmes are aimed at restoring the dignity of our beneficiaries. We understand that each person’s circumstances are unique, and our approach is therefore centred on supporting each client to make informed decisions, address their challenges and work towards reintegrating into society as a functional and self-resilient person,” Monane said.
The department conducts ongoing oversight visits to ensure funded facilities maintain appropriate standards of care and support client rehabilitation.
