Local activist appeals for help
OLIVEDALE – At 27, Taylor is an anthropology student at the University of the Witswatersrand, between her activism and championing the rights of homeless people, as well as the protection of their dignity.
Danielle ‘Dani’ Taylor (27) has fed feral cats and kept a watchful eye on reclaimers, who live on a patch of land in the Olivedale area, for years in her own capacity. She was first introduced to the area through a group of feral cat feeders who she was a part of almost 10 years ago. After Taylor became accustomed to the Olivedale area, she was exposed to a greater problem – the plight of the homeless.
Taylor’s response to the litter was to take matters into her own hands, where she cleaned and cleared the area behind the BP garage, not visible to passers-by. The space has become home to four more reclaimers who made informal homes out of materials they found on the streets. This took the total to 10, since the beginning of lockdown.
Reclaimers make a living from the collection of recyclable materials they resell. When Taylor heard of the community clean-up planned by ActionSA in the area, she made her way to the vacant land to make sure that the men who lived behind BP and their belongings would be safe.
At 27, Taylor is an anthropology student at the University of the Witswatersrand, between her activism and championing the rights of homeless people, as well as the protection of their dignity.
“Residents complain about theft in the area but then police take and sometimes burn their things in front of them… Then sometimes they take them to jail but they can only keep them for so long so the cycle continues,” explained Taylor.
She said there have been many instances where she has appealed to local and national authorities in order to approach homelessness in a different way. The matter was one close to her heart, however, she conceded that she was unable to keep the area clean and protect the men who stayed there from the complaints of residents. She observed that complaints often led to raids, confiscation and destruction of the people who lived amidst the shrubbery.
Although she would like to continue the work she has done, Taylor has appealed to community stakeholders to lend her a hand.
Details: Dani Taylor 079 223 8606.
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