With the extreme cold weather condition that we continue to experience this winter, there are many people who are vulnerable who sleep in the streets, and they are desperately in need of help.
As such, on Thursday, 03 August 2023, the Gauteng Department of Social Development together with various Non-Profit Organizations continued to hand out 94 blankets to homeless people at the Heidelberg Taxi Rank in Sedibeng.
This is following MEC Mbali Hlophe’s assertion that because homelessness is one of Gauteng Government’s top priority, the department should heighten its efforts to reach out to people who are homeless and provide them with assistance across all five regions.
Ntsimane Mofokeng, one of the people who survive with nothing in the streets of Heidelberg, said he is grateful for the meal and a blanket that will keep him warm at night.
He said it is tough to stay on the streets, but he is positive that one day he will live a better life.
“It’s tough my brother to stay here but now I am not ready to leave because I don’t want to bother anyone”. He added that when he is ready, he knows what to do. “I will tell Social Workers to help me”, he said.
Ouma Malimabe from Sedibeng region said they are happy to help with blankets however, it is also frustrating because most of them they don’t want to get help especially those who abuse substances.
“Today we provided them with blankets and a meal and we hope that some will agree to be taken for a rehabilitation programme, we have invited SANCA to render some of their services”, she concluded.
