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POVERTY IN MUIZENBERG

The phenomenon of street people is not a problem unique to Muizenberg.  In fact, more and more people are moving onto the street throughout the country.   In all South African urban centres street people can be found, living on the street as a result of poverty, prolonged unemployment, lack of housing or simply to escape unbearable conditions at home.  Life on the streets is often no worse that the life they left behind. 

Poverty is a major and growing problem in South Africa.  It is the major cause of homelessness and unless addressed and managed will result in severe socio-economic problems.   Linked closely with poverty is the high incidence of people who have become HIV positive, who suffer from substance abuse, immorality, anti-social behaviour.

Street people are amongst the most vulnerable members of society and live with the problems of no security or protection, illiteracy, drug and alcohol abuse, hunger and malnutrition, inadequate shelter, sexual exploitation (prostitution), criminal abuse (used for drug trafficking) and threats to their health (TB, STD’S and HIV and AIDS).

  
 

 

 

  
     
 

IMPORTANCE OF THIS PROJECT

 The reasons why this work is essential includes:

  • The problem of homelessness and poverty is a stark reality across our country and each community needs to take steps in “managing” the situation.   The sociological problems that result are devastating for the greater community and unless some positive solutions are put in place we will have a “Calcutta” scenario on our hands.

  •  The family around the AIDS, drug and alcohol abuse sufferer is impacted significantly, through loss of earnings, orphaning, and caring for the terminally ill.  Care and management of the people around these sufferers will take as much effort as care of the patients themselves.  Family is central to success, and significant emphasis will be placed on family values, and the role of family in prevention, treatment and care of patients.

It is, therefore, important that we address the overall decline of moral and family values as a means of the prevention of homelessness, and facilitate community development in a holistic manner.   A return to Biblical values and morals is what our community is hungry for.

  
 

CURRENT SITUATION

From our working with them over the past four years and the information that we have  Muizenberg has 27 people sleeping on the street.  There are also approximately 22 people who would be classed as “strollers.”  These people have a roof over their heads but have no form of income, have been fishermen for many years in the area and see the Muizenberg streets as their home.    There is a further group of 11 people who “visit” from time to time – some of these people have been living on the street previously, while others are still readjusting to their new life style and come back to Living Hope for spiritual counselling and encouragement.  This data may not hold true across the year due to the nature of street people.  The “fluid” nature of street people, the impact of school holidays, the weather, job availability, hunger and lack of warmth, prison releases, gangs working in the area, etc. means that the figures could change from day to day and from season to season.

It would be fair therefore to say that there are approximately 60 street people in Muizenberg that need to be provided for.  Not only are the street people in need of help but various other groupings within the community are also in need of help.

At this stage the ministry to the Homeless forsees only using the bottom floor, the basement and the back garden of the building sited at 171 Main Road, Muizenberg.  Should Living Hope ever vacate the top floor we would like first option to consider the use of this area as a place for interim housing or as a place for rehabilitation purposes.  We believe that the site is perfect for use as a “bridge” for the homeless and those suffering from addictions, not only in the Muizenberg area but in the whole South Peninsula.

 

  

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