City, in fighting De Lille, has forgotten its homeless

THE change we have been waiting for for so long took place. We have a new president. And he was seen jogging on the Sea Point Promenade without fuss, mingling with the local joggers and even taking time for a couple of selfies.

Our nation is filled with hope. Hope for a better tomorrow. People have high expectations from our president, but we must understand that we, the citizens of this country, also have a duty to fulfil. We must do our bit too.

Talking about hope – Day Zero is lurking around the corner. I was intrigued by how quickly the locals adapted to the water restrictions. We even had visitors arriving on domestic flights donating bottled water to us.

We homeless people are accustomed to water being scarce. Not having water after hours is nothing new to us. But the fact that the city removed some public taps came as a shock to us. But we cannot go ask for water at pubs, restaurants, etc.

Even some public toilets are being closed.

Now we battle to have a bath and do our laundry. We’re all dried out.

Nobody from the city came to us with a practical, working solution. They are too busy getting rid of mayor Patricia de Lille, I’m sure.

The homeless are in a dire situation and it is once again the people of Cape Town who will come to our rescue.

I want to thank Kerry and her team from Souper Troopers for being so proactive about our water fiasco.

And to think the number of hours put in and not getting paid, it is heartwarming. It is with gratitude that we support her.

Just like President Ramaphosa is a breath of fresh air to politics, and by him getting rid of the no-good politicians, so I wish for a change of power in our city. For far too long has money been spent on homeless issues, but nothing much has changed.

We need progressive thinkers and dynamic people to make a radical change. This necessary shift will not happen with the current people in power. They are too set in their ways.

How long has it been since we had an update on a homeless draft? Official stats?

I guess when one is fighting for your own political survival the last thing you worry about is a bunch of homeless people.

The people of Cape Town have opened their hearts to us. Really. And it seems like everybody gets on just fine. Sure, there are those elements who are a pain in the neck.

One gets them everywhere. We got some job opportunities and skills development courses.

When you have something to keep yourself busy, when you earn your own way, morale gets a boost and things just fall into place.

But we need to stand up for what is right. And we will.