Independent Media spends 67 minutes for Mandela Day with the homeless at U-Turn's Tshepo Community Development Initiative
Image: Nobantu Cala
Independent Media visited the Northcliff homeless community at the Tshepo Foundation Centre on Friday to commemorate Nelson Mandela Day.
Indy was warmly welcomed by the U-turn Homeless Ministries and the Tshepo Foundation.
The day is celebrated annually on July 18 to honour the life and the legacy of former president Nelson Mandela.
Independent Media dedicated 67 minutes to serving breakfast to the Northcliff homeless community.
One of the homeless individuals, Derby McLaoen, readily shared her story with IOL about her journey at the Tshepo Foundation Centre.
McLaoen explained that she became homeless after losing her house in Johannesburg last year. The 73-year-old woman revealed that she lived on the streets for a year, relying on strangers for food and money to survive.
'I used to sleep under the bridge without food, and I had no family to turn to because they all live abroad,' McLaoen said.
Another homeless individual, Sphiwe Radebe, stated that substance abuse is one of the reasons that led him to the streets.
'I got subjected to be on the streets and have found myself comfortable in a substance called methcathinone and I used to sell around the city to try to make a living.'
The community stated that the Tshepo Foundation Centre has been helpful and has provided them with food, shelter and toiletries.
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Tshepo Foundation focuses on providing support to homeless people. The organisation provides innovative skills-based programme designed by a multidisciplinary team of occupational therapists, social workers, homeless support workers, counsellors, trainers and life coaches to help improve the lives of homeless people.
The General Manager at Tshepo Foundation, Ailet Geldenhuys, explained that they assist with food, clothing, showers and blankets. She explained that the idea is to be a stepping stone for someone to find their way off the street.
'We have adapted the three phases from U-turn Homeless Ministries that help homeless people improve their lives. We have phase one where the homeless join our programmes to learn basic skills, and phase two helps them get sober, and on the third stage, they are taught skills to help them get job opportunities,' said Geldenhuys.
The organisation states that it celebrates Mandela Day to assist those in need and make a difference in the community. Geldenhuys emphasises that Nelson Mandela left a legacy and initiated a concept that encourages people to unite and support their communities.
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