Gauteng MEC for Social Development Dr. Nomathemba Mokgethi brought a message of hope to scores of homeless people who had gathered at Saul Tsotetsi Sport Complex in Sebokeng last Friday.
The visit by Mokgethi is part of the Gauteng Provincial Government homeless shelters' exit campaign.  When the country experienced a surge in the Covid-19 outbreak, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced national lockdown to curb the spread of the virus.
Homeless people were identified across the province as a group that needed to be protected. They were removed from the streets and placed into various homeless shelters across the province. Now that the country is opening up government has put up a plan to ensure that they live a productive life and are also reunited with their families.
Addressing the homeless Mokgethi said "We agreed in the West Rand recently that we do not want you to be called homeless, you are the people who came across challenges in life. Some of you became homeless due covid-19 as jobs were lost as a result of the pandemic. We are here for you to ensure you access our services. Those who do not have identity documents and birth certificates, we brought the Department of Home Affairs for you".
She added there has been progress where 81 homeless people were reunited with their families, 66 accessed drugs rehabilitation, three benefited from skills development and another three got employment. 
We want to achieve more; there are bursary opportunities for those of you who have matric. We came with Department of Labour; they will register you in their database. You will be assisted to establish cooperatives. We do not want to see you back on the streets. I really commend our Social Workers and all the stakeholders for extending a helping hand".
The Sedibeng District Municipality has three temporary shelters. The beneficiaries are accessing all the necessary services such as psychosocial support, counselling, skills development, substance abuse services, sports and cultural activities.