Destitute braced for misery of Christmas
FOR thousands of homeless people in Joburg, Christmas brings sorrow and tears. They went to the city in search of gold, but they do not have two pennies to rub together.
Ofentse Maledu, 28, said that he was hoping to spend time with his family in Rustenburg, North West, but he does not have the money to travel.
The young man came to the city after he was offered a job at a butchery in January, but his fortunes changed when he lost the job.
“I don’t want to see that day (Christmas) because I am going to miss my child, and I will be broke with no food. Things would have been better if I didn’t steal meat at the butchery. I regret that day (when I lost my job),” said Maledu.
“Besides that I have issues with my family. Even if I had money, it was going to be impossible to go home because they don’t like me.
“Things are no longer the same since I lost my job. My friend is going to see his family in Soweto. Maybe I will join him because he is the (only) person I have in my life.”
Maledu’s friend, Themba Nkosi, 32, feels the same pain. Searching for recyclable plastic bottles in a dustbin, Nkosi said he was trying to make money to spoil his family for Christmas. “They (my family) don’t like me as well. But I’m going to spend Christmas with them. I’m going to buy them gifts and show the love I have for them.
“I have been on the streets for nine years, but I do visit them sometimes when I have money. Although they don’t like me, I am nothing without them and they will always be in my heart,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mark de Villiers said he looked forward to the Christmas church service to uplift his spirit.
“I think I’ve accepted that I will never see my family again. I’ve been stuck in Joburg since 2014. I came here looking for a job but I couldn’t find any. Right now I carry travellers’ luggage for a fee. I’ll go to Universal Church because I know that’s the place where I’ll be welcomed and given food for a day,” he said.
In the same breath, Captain Colleen Huke of the Salvation Army said they were organising Christmas lunch for the homeless.
“We organised a party for them last Saturday but we are having lunch on Christmas where 200 homeless people will receive takeaways. We are ready to host them…
“Everything’s coming together. We are doing this because we are inspired by our love for the poor, and spreading the message of the love of God,” said Huke. HOW TO