Siyabonga Africa’s Walk With Dignity campaign furnished the homeless in Germiston with foot packs and a pampering session last Monday to kick start their Mandela Day festivities.
Siyabonga Africa, a non-profit organisation (NPO) based in Weltevreden, Brakpan operating in the field of poverty alleviation, hit the Germiston streets on Monday with their Mandela Day campaign, Walk With Dignity.
The NPO’s initiative focused on restoring a sense of dignity to the homeless in the area.
Many of the needy who interacted with Siyabonga Africa on the day were drug addicts living under the trees in Johann Rissik Road.
Carol Mofokeng (Street-to-Feet programme manager for Siyabonga Africa) with Thapelo Mofokeng who is looking for work and to beat his drug addiction.
“We encounter many homeless and forgotten people who do not have access to basic health and hygiene facilities, such as a toilet or shower,” said Carol Mofokeng, Siyabonga Africa’s Street-to-Feet programme manager.
“This year’s theme was inspired by the biblical act of washing feet to express love and concern for those living on the streets and those who are strung out and scared to go home because of their drug addiction.”
Buyisa Ubuntu, Springs SAPS Youth Desk and Dynamic Health Education and Training Institution rolled up their sleeves, put on gloves and began washing the feet of the homeless alongside the Siyabonga Africa team.
“Their bodies have taken a toll, especially their feet, from days of endless walking in the city and performing odd jobs to sustain themselves,” said Carol.
“We know many are addicted to drugs and through this initiative we want to open a line of communication to get them to rehabilitation centres and help them reconcile and reconnect with their families as changed men.”
Those with blisters and gaping sores and wounds on their feet were attended to by the nurses on site, while the Germiston SAPS joined the festivities on the day, ensuring law and order was achieved, as well as urging the men to take the opportunity to head to rehab and start rebuilding their lives.
Thamera van Jaarsveld (right) signed Mhlengi Zungu up for a rehabilitation programme to help him curb his addiction to nyaope, during the Walk With Dignity campaign in Germiston on Monday.
Over 75 homeless boys and men received foot packs to groom their feet, socks and warm meals on the day.
Over the next two months, Siyabonga Africa will frequent this site on Mondays and others across Ekurhuleni to promote healthy living and kindness and to pull the homeless from the streets and into programmes to help better their lives.
Nyeleti Mboweni, Sthembile Mabunda and Joyce Gumede from Buyisa Ubuntu on site in Johann Rissik Road in Germiston assisting Siyabonga Africa distribute food packages to the needy.
Siyabonga Africa’s Walk With Dignity campaign furnished the homeless in Germiston with foot packs and a pampering session last Monday to kick start their Mandela Day festivities.
Springs SAPS Youth Desk members Tankiso Thejane and Refilwe Mashabela, and Tshepiso Mokganyetsi (baker at Siyabonga Africa) helped Thabo Masangane take the first step in seeking help to combat his drug addiction.
Thamera van Jaarsveld (right) signed Mhlengi Zungu up for a rehabilitation programme to help him curb his addiction to nyaope, during the Walk With Dignity campaign in Germiston on Monday.
Sarah Brink (CEO of Siyabonga Africa) and Nkosikhona Shange from Germiston at Siyabonga Africa’s Mandela Day initiative, Walk With Dignity, helping the needy and drug addicts in the city.
Siyabonga Africa, a non-profit organisation (NGO), from Weltevreden, in Brakpan, rolls out their Mandela Day campaign, Walk With Dignity in Germiston.
Siyabonga Africa, a non-profit organisation (NGO), from Weltevreden, in Brakpan, rolls out their Mandela Day campaign, Walk With Dignity in Germiston.
Siyabonga Africa, a non-profit organisation (NGO), from Weltevreden, in Brakpan, rolls out their Mandela Day campaign, Walk With Dignity in Germiston.
Siyabonga Africa, a non-profit organisation (NGO), from Weltevreden, in Brakpan, rolls out their Mandela Day campaign, Walk With Dignity in Germiston.
Siyabonga Africa, a non-profit organisation (NGO), from Weltevreden, in Brakpan, rolls out their Mandela Day campaign, Walk With Dignity in Germiston.
Siyabonga Africa, a non-profit organisation (NGO), from Weltevreden, in Brakpan, rolls out their Mandela Day campaign, Walk With Dignity in Germiston.
Siyabonga Africa, a non-profit organisation (NGO), from Weltevreden, in Brakpan, rolls out their Mandela Day campaign, Walk With Dignity in Germiston.
Siyabonga Africa, a non-profit organisation (NGO), from Weltevreden, in Brakpan, rolls out their Mandela Day campaign, Walk With Dignity in Germiston.
Siyabonga Africa, a non-profit organisation (NGO), from Weltevreden, in Brakpan, rolls out their Mandela Day campaign, Walk With Dignity in Germiston.
Siyabonga Africa, a non-profit organisation (NGO), from Weltevreden, in Brakpan, rolls out their Mandela Day campaign, Walk With Dignity in Germiston.
Siyabonga Africa, a non-profit organisation (NGO), from Weltevreden, in Brakpan, rolls out their Mandela Day campaign, Walk With Dignity in Germiston.
Siyabonga Africa, a non-profit organisation (NGO), from Weltevreden, in Brakpan, rolls out their Mandela Day campaign, Walk With Dignity in Germiston.
Siyabonga Africa, a non-profit organisation (NGO), from Weltevreden, in Brakpan, rolls out their Mandela Day campaign, Walk With Dignity in Germiston.
Siyabonga Africa, a non-profit organisation (NGO), from Weltevreden, in Brakpan, rolls out their Mandela Day campaign, Walk With Dignity in Germiston.
Siyabonga Africa, a non-profit organisation (NGO), from Weltevreden, in Brakpan, rolls out their Mandela Day campaign, Walk With Dignity in Germiston.
Siyabonga Africa, a non-profit organisation (NGO), from Weltevreden, in Brakpan, rolls out their Mandela Day campaign, Walk With Dignity in Germiston.
Siyabonga Africa, a non-profit organisation (NGO), from Weltevreden, in Brakpan, rolls out their Mandela Day campaign, Walk With Dignity in Germiston.
Siyabonga Africa, a non-profit organisation (NGO), from Weltevreden, in Brakpan, rolls out their Mandela Day campaign, Walk With Dignity in Germiston.
Siyabonga Africa, a non-profit organisation (NGO), from Weltevreden, in Brakpan, rolls out their Mandela Day campaign, Walk With Dignity in Germiston.
Siyabonga Africa, a non-profit organisation (NGO), from Weltevreden, in Brakpan, rolls out their Mandela Day campaign, Walk With Dignity in Germiston.
Siyabonga Africa, a non-profit organisation (NGO), from Weltevreden, in Brakpan, rolls out their Mandela Day campaign, Walk With Dignity in Germiston.
Siyabonga Africa, a non-profit organisation (NGO), from Weltevreden, in Brakpan, rolls out their Mandela Day campaign, Walk With Dignity in Germiston.
