Displaced people treated to healthy food and dignity packs by City of Joburg

Saturday was a day of chowing down for the displaced community during a Chow4Change initiative in Hillbrow.

Hundreds of displaced people from the streets were treated to an exciting day by the City of Joburg with delicious food, soulful music and practical gifts on 24 March.

This was part of the City’s annual Chow4Change initiative, which saw homeless people who had been invited to City’s Overnight Shelter in Hillbrow, attending the event. They had an opportunity to shower, receive clothes and dignity packs.

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They were also treated to a full-on restaurant experience where one of the waiters included the MMC for Health and Social Development, Mpho Phalatse.

Guest speaker, musician and former prisoner, Molemo ‘Jub Jub’ Maarohanye was at the event and shared a moving testimony of lessons learned from his past mistakes. Jub Jub said he agreed to be part of the day because he relates to their daily experiences, adding that he’s been through similar circumstances.

He said there comes a time when things are great with friends and family and having so much money that you don’t even know where you got it. “And then comes a time when the sh*t hits the fan… don’t expect much because when that time comes… all of that disappears,” he said.

He urged displaced people to refrain from a life of crime and drugs and told them not to wait for government or other people to do things for them, but rather to work hard to fix their lives. “God never set you up to be homeless,” he said.

The displaced people were encouraged to utilise the Overnight Shelter, which is managed by the City, and Phalatse said they can also wash their clothes there whenever they need to. “This is your shelter and if you want to wash yourself or your clothes and even sleep, you can come here.

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“Others can also go to the nearby Governor’s House where they can receive the same treatment but there are no sleeping areas.”

The MMC said there’s a mobile clinic outside the shelter to enable people to get tested for HIV and encouraged them to utilise it. “And if you happen to be infected, as a government, we will assist you. You just need to use our services.”

The City’s plan is to establish a rehabilitation centre in Joubert Park, and Phalatse said it will open in June.

Details: Joburg.org.za