​32-year-old Sizwe Sibisi is one of the Tshwane homeless people who are benefiting from the Gauteng Department of Social Development programs.
Sibisi, who is originally from Umlazi in Kwa-Zulu Natal, said he ended up in the city of gold as someone who was looking for employment.

He was able to get a job with a building construction company eight years ago when he arrived in Gauteng, and he was able to support his siblings back home since his mother was no more.

“My father married another woman, and he started neglecting us and paying more attention to his new family. That’s when I decided to come to Joburg to look for employment since I could see the worsening living conditions of my siblings,” says Sibisi.

“With my salary, I was able to take care of them, and sometimes I would make sure that I surprised them with a visit. I thought things would improve and I also wanted to continue with my studies, but it was impossible,” he said with a sad face.

Things got out of control when he was retrenched, and the landlord kicked him out since he could not pay the rent.

Sibisi recalled the day when he returned from work, and he found all his belongings thrown outside. However, he knew the reason since he was no longer affording to pay the rent.

“I took everything, and it was getting dark, not knowing where to start, but I prayed to God to save me from criminals since I was going to spend the night on the streets of Tshwane. I then met some guys and asked them where I could get a place to sleep. They asked me to follow them, and I did not trust them, but I had no choice,” he said, shaking his head.

The following morning, Sibisi was showed mobile showers, and he was told that they belonged to Social Development. He took a shower, and they told him that in the streets, you feed yourself, and you must make sure that you hide your belongings in a safe place. Indeed, Sibisi listened to their advice and put his bags and blankets in a safer place.

“When I returned late and to my surprise all my belongings were gone, and my “friends” were nowhere to be found. That day, I slept without blankets, but some people offered me old and dirty ones for a night. The whole night I was thinking about my siblings back home and I was asking myself many questions until the following morning. I never thought of going back home because it was no longer a warm home since the passing of my mother,” says Sibisi.

After spending a few months on the streets, Kitso shelter which is funded by the Gauteng Department of Social Development came to his rescue. He was offered a place to sleep, and he was able to receive warm meals every day. Today, Sibisi can proudly say he is now looking forward to a new life since he is helping at Kitso shelter and receives a stipend.

“With the money I receive here at Kitso I’m able, once again, to support my siblings back home, and I would like to thank Kitso shelter and Gauteng Department of Social Development for the opportunity"