​On Tuesday, 08 November 2022, the Gauteng Department of Social Development held another commemoration of the Word Homeless Day at Wembley Homeless Shelter in Turffontein, Johannesburg South as part of rendering services to those homeless individuals who need helping hand. 
A 28 year old Thabang Mabezane originally from Benoni in Ekurhuleni is one of the residents staying in Wembley Homeless Shelter for the past six months. 

Mabezane who is gay, says he ended up in the shelter after his family disowned him due to his sexual preferences. He added that he was abused physically and emotionally by his uncle. 

“I am from a Christian family, they don’t expect me to be a gay because according to their beliefs I am an embarrassment to the community. They were expecting to see me getting married to a woman and start a family,” explained Mabezane. 

“On this special day, I am happy because homeless people have a shelter, a roof over our heads, a place we can call home. It makes us strong, and be able to be yourself. This day also provides an opportunity us to get much needed help since they are rendering services to those of us who are homeless and need a helping hand,” says Mabezane.

He added that he doesn’t see himself in the shelter in the next five years. He says despite the discrimination from other community members,.Mabezane emphasized that they are taking LGBTQI+ seriously. 

He says in the shelter there are only two gays and most of the residents understand them and treat them with respect. “I would also love to see myself as one of the members of the parliament presenting the LGBTQI+ community, making sure that their rights are taken seriously.