​Siyabonga Miya (28) is a University of Pretoria graduate and a qualified Maths and Science Teacher who is currently staying at a homeless cottage, which he shares with more than other men who find themselves in a similar situation.
The cottage is in one of the homeless shelters run by Non-Profit Organisations funded by the Gauteng Department of Social Development in Johannesburg. Miya is originally from Msinga in KwaZuluNatal and has been through a lot until he met a pastor who referred him to the shelter where he is currently staying.
Despite his living conditions, Miya said God has given him a second chance after sleeping under the bridge and taxi ranks and being exposed to drug abusers and criminals every day.
According to Miya, it all started when he was employed as a teacher in one of the high schools in Free State after he graduated from the University of Pretoria. He was teaching mathematics and science from Grade 8 to 12. He said he was enjoying his work as a teacher however the problem started when everything was conducted in Afrikaans although he tried to raise it with the school principal and other officials, it all fell in deaf ears, he says.
"It became worse when I was sidelined on important issues and became frustrated not knowing what to do anymore. Since my case was not taken seriously, I then applied for cross transfer, and since it was delaying, I decided to resign," says Miya.
"I told myself that I will get a job quickly since I'm young and teaching important subjects. With the money I received, I decided to buy a car and started Uber business in Johannesburg. I loved this job when I was still studying. I thought everything was getting better, and when I get the job, I will continue with my business," added Miya.
"I got a shock of my life when I was hijacked and robbed off my belongings, and I made a mistake of not insuring the car and removing the tracker. I managed to live with the little that I had, but there was a time when I struggled to pay rent".
I went to the hostel thinking that things would be better since we were all coming from the same province. Instead, I was told to contribute to everything and yet I was broke. Then someone advised me to go to the taxi rank as there are people who were sleeping there, but when I got there, I found substance users who offered me "Bluetooth". I was offered a syringe where I had to share blood with other addicts, but I refused, and I then found a corner to pray, asking God not to get tempted", he said.
"Indeed, I would share place with them knowing what I want and sometimes I'll be asked to go buy bread by an addict and I will go because I need to eat at the end of the day. I used to attend church service at Universal in town, and that's where the pastor spotted me and referred me to the shelter. I am not going to give up, the shelter is also giving me hope that things can change for the better," said Miya.
The department's programme on homelessness includes safe accommodation, provision of daily meals, skills development and family reunification.