About eight homeless men cleaned litter in the vacant land next to the Randburg Magistrates’ Court in Kengsington B on 5 August.
The cleanup was organised by Johannesburg Organisation of Services to the Homeless (Josh), a non-profit organisation.
Josh’s main aim is to link homeless people to soup kitchens, Randburg’s first homeless shelter, job skills training, self-created work and cheap apartments through a voucher scheme (see previous story).
“We did this [cleanup] to change the conversation the community has with homeless people because they think they are no good, make a mess and are social outcasts,” said Mary Gillet-de Klerk, founder and CEO of the organisation.
“It is also part of a process for them to give back to the community and realise that to be considered for job skills training, you need to be willing to participate in the community.”
The homeless men were in good spirits as they placed rubbish in plastic bags, and in the first few minutes accumulated several kgs of litter.
“I do this to make the general environment better to live in,” said homeless man Abraham Dipitsi.
Ophieus Kasara explained that he was cleaning to help the community, while Muzi Mthembu said that he was cleaning to help put him in better stead to receive a job from the organisation.
Ward 104 councillor Mike Wood applauded the initiative, adding that residents should establish a partnership with the homeless to achieve more.
The neglected land is owned by the Department of Public Works, and residents have been involved in cleaning efforts for the last eight years (previous story), and have signed a petition asking the government to clean its land.
Details: Johannesburg Organisation of Services to the Homeless 011 787 4750 or 082 395 1268;
Ward 104 councillor Mike Wood 082 853 2174.
