Durban’s homeless receive a hand up instead of a hand-out
We want to change the perception, people need to start seeing them as business people and not beggars.
AMINATA Sow Fall's fictional political satire The Beggars Strike, about beatings and repeated imprisonment of street beggars who ultimately leave the streets giving rise to a new problem as people feel the need to give alms to the poor to insure spiritual favor and earthly rewards. The people go in search of the beggars who now congregate and receive alms at a house far out of town and see no need to return to the streets. Unlike Sow Fall's political satire, the Denis Hurley Centre has started a project that they hope will have a positive effect on how motorists and street beggars view each other.
Paper Money, is a project initiated by the Centre in partnership with Independent Media and Urban Lime, that hopes to help Durban’s homeless become self-employed newspaper vendors at all intersections around the city.
For 22-year-old Sbusiso Ntombela, who used to beg at the intersection of Smiso Nkwanyana (Goble) Road and Masabalala Yengwa (NMR) Avenue, the opportunity holds promise. He said selling newspapers has restored his dignity and he hopes that his relationship with motorists will also improve to that of client and services provider.
“I left home in Empangeni for a better life. At least with this project I now have hope that things will change for the better. Instead of begging, at least now we have something to barter with in exchange for the money they give us. There are challenges because you are dealing with different people. Some are rude because they are not familiar with the project, but others are very good people and even if they don't buy a paper, at least they listen. I want to be like everyone, I also want to live a good life and I am grateful for this opportunity to change my life,” said Ntombela.
Stuart Talbot, the project coordinator said the aim of the project is to change people's perception and for them to start seeing the newspaper sellers as business people and not beggars.
“I spent about a month-and-a-half driving around the city scouting different intersections looking for people over the age of 18 who did not beg with children. It is still at its pilot phase and we are hoping to open more spaces soon. The idea is to scout for people who are actually at the robots because otherwise anybody can come and occupy those spots. We also have to keep their morale up because it's a tough craft. However, it becomes very humbling when you hear some of the guys saying they want to open bank accounts and the other day one said for the first time in three weeks, he had been able to afford to sleep in a shelter during one of the recent coldest nights,” Talbot said.
Thabani Chauca who is one of the first Paper money vendors, said: “It's a great idea because our lives can be changed. We just have to give it a chance, it takes time. I would like to urge others to also join this campaign.” Chauca ,who also has matric, said his dream of becoming a tour guide is now attainable. The #PaperMoney vendors sell newspapers at R10 each with R5 from each sale being kept by the vendors themselves. The initiative aims to give Durban’s homeless a “hand up instead of a hand-out”.
