​31-year-old Mxolisi Duma is a recovered substance abuser who ended up at SAVF Homeless Shelter in Sedibeng, a shelter in partnership with and funded by the Gauteng Department of Social Development. He quit drugs after he was attacked by an angry mob together with his friend, who died at the scene.
Duma from Kwa-Thema in Ekurhuleni now regrets all his wrongdoings; however, he says the shelter has changed him into a better person, and he believes that God has given him a second chance to make things right.

Despite being a changed man, Duma says he will never forget how his best friend died in the hands of an angry community. He says he doesn’t know how he survived because they were using everything to attack them.

“I arrived here at SAVF Homeless Shelter last September, and I was welcomed by staff members along with other guys who decided to quit before the program ended. I knew what I wanted, although I was doing it in memory of my late friend who died when we were attacked, “says Duma.

“We used to mug people and do all bad things while un-d-e-r-the influence of drugs, and the community was getting fed up  with us. I was not aware that the community was planning to get rid of us for good, but fortunately, police came to our rescue, and I was rushed to the hospital, where I was admitted to the ICU,” he added.

Since his arrival at SAVF Homeless Shelter, he has been admitted to rehabilitation, where he says he was tempted to quit, but his late friend keeps coming to mind. It was never an easy journey with all the bad memories of the past, says Duma.

When he completed his rehab program, Duma was offered a training course on solar installation with Bokamoso Skills Development Centre, and he was able to get a driver’s licence too.

Duma is planning to build back his reputation with the family and friends he wronged, which is not going to be easy, but he is willing to do everything to make things right. He says both his parents are late, and his uncle and aunt will assist him to mend things.

Duma says he did not believe it when elders used to He says he wants to become a property agent because his heart is more into properties, but his business in solar installation is also a priority.

Tell them that crime doesn’t pay, but to them it was a joke. He now encourages new people in the shelter not to give up because of the opportunity restart one’s life all over again. His other dream is to get married and start his own family. 

The Gauteng Department of Social Development offers a basket of services to the homeless, which includes shelter, psychosocial support, family reunification, and skills development.