By Doreen Mokgolo
Hundreds of homeless people queued at Wembley Stadium, Turffontein, in Johannesburg on Saturday to take a warm shower – something many had not done for months or years.
The mobile service, an initiative of the Gauteng provincial government, provides separate ablution facilities for men and women as well as laundry services daily to identified hotspots, including parks, open areas, and under bridges.
The Gauteng MEC for Social Development, Mbali Hlophe, said the initiative aims to give homeless people a sense of dignity.
She said the service was an expansion of an already existing package of assistance to the homeless, including services like shelters and daily meals.
A homeless man who got to shower, Thabo Seabi, said he was glad to have the opportunity to clean himself properly.
He said a warm shower is a luxury for the homeless as many either take a cold bath at the shelters or wash their faces under a tap.
Seabi has been living on the streets for five years because of drug addiction.
“Life in the streets is not easy, but we are surviving. The daily meals and support from churches and NGOs make it a little bit bearable. I am waiting my turn to go to rehab so that I can turn my life around,” he said.
Sipho Msimango, another homeless person who had a warm shower, said it was a good idea and he hopes it will continue after the 29 May elections.
“We are treated like royalty these days because of the looming election season. Politicians visit us to donate blankets, food and clothes. We are not sure if this is one of the political tricks to get us to go to the polls,” he said.
Pictured above: Beneficiaries of the warm shower service.
Image source: Supplied
