Cold reality - many of us are closer to living on the street than we think

[@JoaoReiLobo]

To be honest. Even as a world wide music producer. During Covid I went back home all pulled all the money we can to survive. It's been tough. Letting go. But I am very blessed my parents allow me to stay with them at 34. We pull our money into one basket and make it work. Its a tough time we are living in now. I pray for all my brothers and sisters that Gods favour finds you and you can find a good job and be well off. I pray this for you all in Jesus name, AMEN!

[@southernafricanboy4148]

What's a world wide music producer? I'm 51 and moving from Scotland to stay with my mom. My dad passed away at 72 and it's been two years. She can't live alone. My marriage failed but my kids are grown Eff the West😡😡

[@ZubairKhan-vs8fe]

I'm angry because so much money is being stolen from our country when it could be used to help these people

[@truthserum-za]

@@ZubairKhan-vs8fe use your own money to help them?

[@MatthewReid-ww6qt]

Hmm. I work for a hotel. I would love to help. I simply don't earn enough to help. Saying use your own money to someone you don't even know is really silly. (I'll refrain from using the word I want to use) truth is, there are more people struggling thab you think. At the end of the day, and more so for men. Its up to the individual to uplift themselves because help ain't coming any time soon. Its either wallow in self pity or do something. Sometimes people just need a break. A lot of these people on the street want to be there. I was part of a neighborhood watch and the people i spoke to said that the living conditions on the street are better than the shelters. They have a better chance if going by unnoticed when on the street.

[@truthserum-za]

@@MatthewReid-ww6qt don’t respond if you don’t understand context of my response. You think homelessness is someone responsibility until you have to use your own money to help. I work at a hotel means nothing, sacrificing the little you have to help in any way or shape is all the help that’s required, your as guilty as the people who steal, rob, you simply hide behind whatever that makes you sleep at night. Wake up tomorrow be the difference you want to make instead of regurgitating same old same excuses. When I was homeless, it took one lady to provide me 1meal a day, to keep me away from drugs, mentally fit, and hopeful a better day is coming. Guess what, that was all I needed to get out of the hopelessness into hopefulness. Do your part see who’s life you may affect

[@MatthewReid-ww6qt]

@@truthserum-za kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqixhp15mMZ6qK8si=ZbDbO0OkkNQSM2Ve

[@MatthewReid-ww6qt]

@@truthserum-za kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXvRZJhrYtekaMksi=4b-15vY2WkraXFAR

[@LetsDoSocialWork]

We're getting poorer and poorer by the day. It's sad!

[@tyson2819]

Thats because 90s kids listened to their boomer parents about career advice.

[@vuyisilegama3320]

TRUE FACT . . .​@@tyson2819

[@oratilemotaung3088]

Please tell Mr Gouws that we pray for him and are truly sorry for the pain he suffered doing the right thing. ❤ He and all the members of the homeless community deserve justice , support, and an opportunity to contribute to society again

[@christienodendaal3001]

Thank you for your friendly words to this poor gentleman, Oratile.

[@truth-Hurts375]

Kak praat nie !!!

[@Iridescence7770]

Ageism is a big problem in corporate and the ways they try to get rid of older workers is disgusting.

[@alive4627]

I was subject to a 63 years of age mandatory retirement. I was allowed to work a further year on contract. I am 70 now, and can honestly say that I would have been just as productive had I been allowed to work until my late sixties. Putting a mandatory trigger on retirement is wrong wrong wrong. It should be based on performance. What I can say is the banking group that I worked for lost a treasure trove of corporate memory when I left. They will pay the price. Conmen reappear in the system like clockwork. They won’t see them coming.

[@Iridescence7770]

@@alive4627 I'm so sorry that happened to you. Unfortunately, this kind of behavior is so rife. It makes you think, since we (the world) is increasingly getting older and governments refuse to give livable pensions to elderly- something needs to give

[@leannesampson3199]

And in South Africa reverse-racism in the workplace (together with ageism) means that as you age there are many people in your workplace just itching to kick you out so they can make space for previously-disadvantage-currently-hyperadvantaged-persons

[@andresmit5669]

Would you say that it would make a difference if older people were more willing to adopt new technologies and create new and creative workflows to adapt to the changing work environment? I am still just 26, but in my limited experience in corporate, older generations are simply too slow.

[@mothupiboikanyo4921]

​@leannesampson3199 considering that you're a woman i.e previously disadvantaged, I don't understand this statement? Do you not think you should be considered for opportunities that were previously denied to you simply because you're a woman?

[@truthserum-za]

Tamsin, thank you for highlighting such a crucial issue in our country. I must caution you about family, friends et al whom you think will assist once you lose your job. It's often the trusted people that leave you at the alter. Ive been there, ive been on the streets, not because i used substances, was abusive, mental illness etc simply life happened and i found myself on the streets with all the high and powerful friends and family still found myself on the streets, my education, my family, my friends i was repelling them. Now my circumstances changed since that ordeal. What I can tell you the people you see on the streets are no different than you. Doctors, Lawyers, politicians, actors are now homeless. We need to find it on our hearts to find hard solutions for homelessness not only is this happening in South Africa, but a global phenomenon

[@lr6477]

Laughable! Dr's and lawyers homeless 😅😅😅😅 left wing claptrap

[@arlenespencer5850]

​@@lr6477❓️

[@SurfersCornerMuiz]

​@@lr6477you are really the delusional one on this issue. And also the type that used to be the bully at school. 😮 Sadly our municipality, reflects this disgraceful attitude.

[@lr6477]

@@SurfersCornerMuiz you got all of that from my one sentence? Having my own opinion makes me a bully? Your attitude helps nobody get off the streets!

[@VagabundaGypsy]

@@SurfersCornerMuiz Actually You do come across as a bully.

[@pieterrossouw8596]

He supported his wife and both sets of parents... There's an unfortunate lesson there, help friends and family when you can but have boundaries, the guy probably had a great salary but instead of saving and investing into his own safety net - he provided it for others. Can't help others when you can't help yourself.

[@missd411]

And you wonder where those people are now. Did none of them not have at least a spare room for him? I'm sure that would make a huge difference in him being able to get another job.

[@avelamabetshe7207]

I wonder where are those people that he helped 😢

[@thabangdiswane6503]

Where's the wife now?

[@Yang-So-ri]

Believe me, those people disappear when sh*t hits the fan. Been there done that and having the mental scars. Most of them disappear because you're of no benefit to them anymore.

[@ricardomoniz6167]

Your comment shows such ignorance . You cannot judge if you have not walked in his shoes. Some people have no choice. Just btw - Gouws' wife was recently stabbed to death and died on the street. Rather be part of the solution and not the problem with your apathy.

[@berylackermann8240]

Many qualified persons are now entering the streets with no employment and living in their cars and the Governments do nothing to assist them. The few charities are a drop in the ocean compared to the need and this time next year as I have seen over the last 7 years more are joinin those on the streets. South Africa and other countries are all having the same issues and this is a deliberate undertaking.

[@christodebeer3645]

Not every Homeless person is a Drug addict or a Alcoholic...Times is really tuff out there...😮

[@beewest5704]

Many are mentally ill.

[@janetteirisolivier6101]

Thank you Tamsin. Be slow to judge, quick to forgive and generous in love. ❤

[@latsword3513]

"There go I but for the grace of God". People find it so easy to make assumptions. I'm so grateful for my family

[@Keoagil]

I hope for the day when those of us who are still doing great will treat with respect those who are in dire straits. In my life, I've met many people who live in the street, many of whom are wonderful people who just need to a hand up, not a handout. I once met a man who was working as a security at night, g on the streets. What took my breath away was when I found out he was doing good Masters in Engineering. He didn't tell me so himself. I found out through following him one day. The other time I met another man, also leaving on the streets. I'd chat with him often and so, I shared my number with him. Two years later I got a call from an Australian University asking me to corroborate his story. Turns out they wanted to employee him as a Maths professor. I've experienced a lot of these encounters with people we don't want in our spaces because they live on the streets, they stink, or we feel they're pests. But as for me, I've learned a lot from many of them. Last one... this girl was living in a shelter. That's all I knew about her. Never got to know how she landed there. All I know is that she's a medical doctor now. Oh, last last one... I have a list to a man walking down the freeway. It was a blazing hot day. I asked where was he heading to. "Train station", he said. We didn't have a conversation on the way. I didn't ask him his name, he didn't ask me what mine was. He asked if I had water. I have him the water I had. He was in a bad shape and looked distraught. I dropped him off at the train station, and we "goodbyed". About six months later, I was browsing in a Cash Crusaders store in Somerset West. And, a stranger comes straight up to me and asks me, "do you remember me?" I couldn't recall having seen him anywhere. And this stranger related to me how I have him a list one day in the freeway. Turns out that his car had been taken from him directly by thieves. He was driving from George to Cape Town when this happened. The car was taken in Grabouw, so he had walked all the way from Grabouw. His partying words humbled me. "I own a bed and breakfast in George. If you're ever paint through George call me." I ran out of words as he handed me his business card.

[@talitasmit9337]

Yes only but by the Grace of God ❤

[@JOATMOFA]

This is a scary eye-opener! I tell you from experience - once you fall down the rabbit hole, It's difficult to crawl your way out again (but not impossible).

[@theresaalbarracin-os2ez]

This reporter is a sister of her fellow American brothers and sisters. You are appreciated for being a light and voice for those homeless. If it's with in my power to do something good for others I will do so.

[@danielngandu8656]

"her fellow American brothers and sisters"...!!?? What about her distant relatives the Africans! XD

[@Mahlatse11]

Stop living in debt, that's the solution. Once you got down that path all your options shrink. Learn living within your means. The friends you're trying to impress will be gone as soon as things go wrong for you. Stop making nasty conversation about people who've fallen on hard time, you will soon find yourself a subject of next conversation. It's harder to accept that things are getting bad for if you were nasty to others in the past. This will lead you to bad decisions in an attempt to stay afloat to impress those kind of friends.

[@defendingthestrawman7103]

Show me the person who can buy a house (or perhaps a car) without debt. There are not all that many. Many people who find themselves in that situation do not do so because they bought a bunch of designer bags or dream vacations, but because of medical-related debt. Anyone can get sick. And medical aid does not cover everything.

[@Coudz-x4e]

​@@defendingthestrawman7103 it possible to buy a house cash obviously if you want an expensive house you wont be able to buy it cash unfortunately

[@Njogu7]

Lifestyle is a worse enemy. The fire that the debt fuels. For example why fund a birthday when you do not have a retirement plan?

[@loganmedia1142]

@@Coudz-x4e It's pretty much impossible to buy any reasonable house for cash. By the time you've saved the price a house is now those prices will have at least doubled. It's actually cheaper to borrow the money and pay it back. And you'll still end up on the street if you were saving for a house and get hit with a major financial setback.

[@NontobekoN-N]

​@@defendingthestrawman7103then why buy those things in the first place?

[@caravanlifenz]

New Zealand has similar problems. Our charities and food banks are running out of food and resources. Like the man in the video, so many people lost their jobs during Covid. Our leader, Jacinda Ardern, closed our borders for 2 years and we've all been struggling ever since.

[@aslam7952]

I remember how she was hailed for closing the borders, and thinking that the people congratulating her are not going to help fix the mess that shutting down an economy creates. Instead they just used stimulus (loans) to push the can down the road, and then blamed inflation on Russia/Ukraine conflict.

[@elsahoffmann8719]

This is true. I had to live in some very weird places after I became sick. It's not fun. It's not easy. And homeless could be just around the corner. It's sad and it kills you mentally

[@antone5462]

Absolutely correct . The barrier between have and have not is wafer-thin.

[@thebluebeyond2329]

This is making me wake up and thank the opportunity of my family members who are currently supporting me during my unemployment as l didn’t get a job after graduation. The study is a fraction of these people on these streets 😢. We need young people to bring in investments, can’t rely on politicians anymore.

[@sofekul389]

A eye opening video that shows the reality of Homeless. Thank you.

[@skhuxinwa2888]

Thank you❤. This is now more than a news story, a two minute read. The insights you share in words and pictures hit my heart hard. Once again, thank you. It's awakening.

[@christienebotha6363]

There is a true saying... "Don't look down on people, because there's only one pay check between you".... And that's the honest truth!

[@CiroDeSiena]

Really great to see journalism such as this, and great content being made, here in SA. I appreciated this video and your efforts very much.

[@calebschultz6724]

No more reading the news, the news gets read to you. Not as a bulletin, as an article. I love the modern world 😊

[@joannebottcher9779]

Thank you City of Cape Town for making safe spaces for those living on the street.

[@cathyabrahamse1929]

What happened to our old age homes,our institutions for the mentally ill,all understaffed,places falling apart, miss management of funds,etc in private old age homes our elders get abused, some children send there elderly parents to farms thinking they looked after by these organisations and whoever is in charge take there bank cards abuse them and they hardly get food,and yet these people running the places always get away with it ,and everyone turns a blind eye but everyone gets old. There by the Grace of God go you.

[@arlenespencer5850]

This is the sad Truth .

[@ProcaviaCapensis-ts8ub]

In Cape Town we have Communicare. It used to care for the elderly and disabled. Today it cares about profits.

[@HomeFromFarAway]

​@@ProcaviaCapensis-ts8ub same with CPOA. it's a for profit

[@hollybaird9379]

Thank you for this question it is appalling how little this Government is doing re old age homes for our aged, there is just NO affordable homes to put these poor SASSA people in, especially in KZN in PMBurg there is Nothing😢very sad

[@beewest5704]

Many state homes have been closed to give money tonNGO's who just eat the money & help no one.

[@deserteagle7032]

I am in the same situation in Durban. I'm using a cheap Chinese phone with free WiFi, if anybody wants to know. I worked for a major company in SA. Got sick with the chemicals I worked with. Ended up with heart, lung, gastro diseases. My eyesight also diminished. I Was unfairly dismissed and got zero workman's comp. I am on chronic meds from the hospital. Because of my health I suffer to work and I can't . Sassa turned down my application for disability grant. I'm in my 50s and for ten years I am living on packets of soup with pap. People are cruel.

[@Gustav_Smit]

The homeless encampment next to SAPS in Somerset West is growing rapidly...the pollution lying around their tents are similar to that of a slum.

[@seth4322]

Powerful piece - thank you very much!

[@ademolaadebayo1005]

Thanks for the points shared. Though I live in the United Kingdom, these are issues that affect us here too. I am just very thankful for where I am today.

[@mrqeufeus]

Fantastic video. You are doing wonderful work bringing these issues to light in Cape Town. It is something that needs to be addressed asap.

[@NebkadBible]

Stories like these are VERY touchy. At the same time I have learnt that not every sad story is true/complete.

[@timothyadams2730]

Thank you for making me aware of the spaces the City of Cape Town is providing for the homeless. I've been job hunting for 4 months and will run out of funds in September 2024. The main thing I am worried about if I become homeless, is my safety. The rest of the circumstances (shelter & food) I am prepared to deal with.

[@dineshanpillay5944]

I'm almost there, if it wasn't for my sister, I'd be in the streets, pray things get better especially for everyone here

[@MusehanaH]

Gee, I recall seeing Mr Inus Gouws once or twice at that intersection. We really are one pay cheque away from homelessness, aren't we? 🥺

[@moragbell]

Hermanus big developer bought prime land from the Municipality ... Paraduse Park ... all families evicted. The latest who hung on hoping litigation would help have just left. Rdp housing was offered for a while but in outskirts of Stanford miles away and no transport.... its disgraceful.

[@fiqhonomics]

Homelessness is a feature, not a bug, of capitalism and I'm glad the City of Cape Town is recognizing that.

[@sophon238]

This is not capitalism or socialism this is human nature - greed, selfishness.

[@loganmedia1142]

it's a faulty poor implementation of capitalism. Well managed capitalism would keep income inequality down and provide support for everyone.

[@sophon238]

@@loganmedia1142 no system can address the fundamental issue: human nature, greed selfishness etc.

[@elizabethcatton1977]

Thank you for taking this on. And bringing it to our attention ......God bless you!

[@st77546]

man that was a really good documentary , reality is a scary thing to face at times , be very great full for what you have.

[@fifs4sa]

May the hand of God reach Mr Gous. Sad what's happening, Nkosi Sikelela iAfrica 🙏😊

[@khensk]

South Africa's socio-economic issues regarding housing only exasperate this issue of homelessness. The issue is much deeper and with this recession going on that doesn't discriminate against race, I'm hoping will cause a variety of people to empathise with the experience of homelessness and lack of good housing because now it doesn't only affect black and coloured people, as it did before. Hopefully this causes us to take this issue seriously and address the unequal housing saga especially in Cape Town.

[@LJEFXW]

How do you think it can be done. What do you think should happen, genuinely

[@isaaccpt6643]

We seriously need to undo Apartheid Spacial planning. In relation to housing it makes that only certain areas are desirable to live in and that makes things so expensive. I honestly thing that is the key to all our social ills Apartheid Spacial planning needs to go

[@sophon238]

​@@isaaccpt6643the townships need to be developed and the crime there reduced.

[@loganmedia1142]

@@isaaccpt6643 That's not the issue. It's a red herring thrown out by people trying to obscure the real causes. And those causes all go back to the current ruling party, offshoot parties started by ousted members, and the supporters of both. You have people in parts of South Africa still voting for the same failed political party and refusing to vote for a party that might actually fix the economic situation because they view that party as white.

[@loganmedia1142]

Unequal housing exists solely due to the economic situation in South Africa. And South Africa's current dismal state falls squarely at the feet of the ANC, Jacob Zuma etc.

[@herbertvanrensburg6411]

The biggest problem with our society today is that children no longer respect their parents or siblings for that matter. Gone are the days when children would help out a parent / grandparent when in need, they would not care less if they were on the street. The same applies for brothers or sisters. We brought this mind-set upon ourselves for allowing the World to dictate how we should bring up our children. "You shall reap what you sow"

[@Visionery1]

So true.

[@loganmedia1142]

The world has always influenced people's attitudes when raising children. We actually now know far more about the psychology of children and how they develop than we did even 50 years ago. Some people though choose to ignore this good and useful knowledge. Preferring to continue using outdated and harmful methods of childrearing.

[@herbertvanrensburg6411]

@@loganmedia1142 These less harmful methods of child raising will allow the current parents to bear the fruits within the next decade, then we can continue this debate!

[@Visionery1]

@@loganmedia1142 well, one need only look at current schools and homes to see how not implementing "outdated and harmful methods" has influenced our children. They have zero respect for their teachers or parents, not hesitating to assault a teacher or parent. Generations of children grew up using traditional methods of child rearing, without any issues. These days children will even sue their parents if given a hiding.

[@sadlad2005]

Thank you for bringing this to the attention of the general public. It's really hard out there.

[@rachael-777]

Well said young lady!

[@siyandankundla-mgudlwa1888]

Thank you for educating us. I am one of who who had misconception about homeless people. I honestly judged them.

[@markparfett5380]

There is very little in the way of social support systems of note for people who have become unable to provide for themselves in this country. I am seeing more and more people on the streets that are clearly not abusing any sort of substance. I know those people that do. My brother was one of them. He was eventually murdered by another person on the streets and the police had no interest in investigating the matter.

[@territc6182]

Her Chapter 3 statement is so correct and this is what frightens me the most. I'm near retirement and I worry that I could find myself in this same situation.

[@danielngandu8656]

Sad reality is there are some things in life you can never fully prepare for, the unexpected, they blind side you, different situations but they all lead to one place, in-between a rock and a hard place! In the end having strong social backing and lifting those around you so they can stand on they're now 2 feet so that one day they may return the favour, but even that has no guarantees. This is a wake up call for everyone in there 30s 40s, 10 or 20 years from now that could be you!

[@mohammedseedat59]

Tnx for enlightening me. Soo painful. We are soo fortunate. *something seriously needs to be done*

[@PatriciaVoegt]

Thank you so much for the clip. I believe that squatting or living on the streets should never be allowed. As soon as the authorities see or be notified.....it should be dealt with immediately to determine why the person is on the street and deal/place the individual in a safe place etc. We have people squatting opposite our house.....and unfortunately it is drug issues and they have family living close by....who don't want them because of their habits.....so why must it become our problem. The sad thing is that the media never speak about the mess and abuse that we have to struggle with daily. Many of us living in homes also face so many challenges daily with the cost of living....but honestly having shacks opposite your home or workplace can never be acceptable. It starts with a shack then they start recycling and it ends up in a complete mess. So can we please work on eliminating living on the streets

[@Saint0589]

Thank you for bringing attention to how mental illness can impact homelessness, stigmatization is a serious problem

[@nicholas.j.w]

Amazing work!🙏

[@xdayadx]

Absolutely amazing video and article from a great journalist.

[@DK281ify]

Valid insight of something we look at through a simple lens while being fortunate. Something to consider in a gratitude list.

[@LockedDownSpectator]

03:30 That "still" is devastating, man. I am genuinely upset. We really have it good in our lives. Blessings, to put it mildly.

[@Truth...]

Good work, young lady

[@brendangoosen]

Thank you!

[@gomolemofritz5966]

I remember reading this article on your website. Absolutely soul crushing ❤💔

[@pW2002]

i left a comment on the safe space video about the lack of conversations with the people living in these sites. seeing the adjustment made me appreciate this video more. thank you for this and kudos. the job is far from finished though, our people's stories need to be heard. these videos need to be made. there needs to be more focus on these issues

[@kamokwele12]

Very valuable video, thanks for this!

[@mbali4728]

Great job Tamsin, this is insightful and alerts one of the possibilities of the unknown.

[@deborahwood4728]

How sad. Things can change in a thinking of an eye. This situation is of great concern

[@farhanatoerien3437]

It’s so sad that wealthy and “middle class” ppl are so ignorant and judgemental about the reality of ppl living on the streets. Money really is a privilege bubble.

[@Nomsani]

Thank you. 😢

[@tholwanabutelezi8954]

what an eye opener

[@desmondsheik7656]

Wow 😢😢I am so grateful for the clip love it so relavant 💪

[@lmngobese]

Well articulated Temsin

[@nathangraham2235]

Powerful. Thank you

[@setsoalirantidi8148]

Amazing work,thank you.

[@VagabundaGypsy]

Why are we not marching & demanding a substantial increase for pensioners?? R10 increase??? Not even enough to buy a loaf of bread! Old people on the street is far worse than young people. 😡😡😡😡😡😡😠😠😠😠😡😠

[@cheznone9296]

Because not every tax payer is able to pay more tax - first to feed the criminals who think it’s their money and secondly the more money pensioners receive the more greedy the thieves who turn up for their share take. Pensions don’t house the old, the government is supposed to allocate funds for housing the aged. But nah they took it for themselves

[@michelmuller6023]

I hear a rumour that Sassa peeps gonna start demanding parity with other countries's pensions. The present rate is not realistic.

[@antone5462]

Really , what is stopping you to start marching?

[@michelmuller6023]

@@antone5462 lol. Why march when you can vote? Seriously. Saffer pensions are a joke! Surprised there haven't been riots over govt's bad payouts. Just goes to show. Saffers accept any old crxp.

[@trudyneumann8945]

​@@michelmuller6023- Sassa pension is ridiculous.

[@christinefinniss6263]

Honest point of view.

[@colleenwerth6350]

I am 73 yrs old, and had been living a stable life, despite limited funds , on a farm 7kms outside Plett. The owner died and her daughters provided new leases under the own names. We all had to provide inventories. Whatever was left out of the inventory was for our own cost to repair. The amount of structural repairs in my room were extensive. Their clauses 13.3 - 5 required me to vacate the premises with immediate effect at the end of that month. Being October, nearing the tourist season, and ever since then, I have been homeless, sleeping one night here, one night there, 6wks on a couch, 2 mths in Jbg with a friend, and back to Plett where the SAPS took me to someone I know, but it is hugely inconvenient for that person. I am one of thousands in SA in SA in this situation. And yes, it will worsen. Where I will go at the end of this month is still to be seen.

[@Reaoleboga-cf2cm]

Wow, this is an eye-opener. This is definately a reality check

[@starchiiiiild]

Thank you for this!

[@fullmetaltheorist]

The thumbnail has me questioning my career choices😂

[@shandapuhhuh]

Same 😢

[@Cloud_with_lois]

🤣same

[@MaxUlf-e1k]

True right? seems like the only way to live in SA is by joining the criminal politicians

[@CynthiaSelemale]

I’m in a place in my life where I’m asking myself if I’m following the right career path as “everyone” seems to be getting into IT, cloud engineering etc and getting opportunities as a young women straight out of university is very hard.

[@thamsanqasofika1281]

@@CynthiaSelemale Unfortunately this is the case with just about every career choice. The moment it turns out that some specific career offers high salaries everyone flocks to it and soon enough it becomes a saturated industry. Part of the problem is that over the last 30 years we have had problematic implementation of the PPPFA. It was intended to give black people an opportunity to create and develop private enterprises that would create more employment for the people of SA. Unfortunately it was corrupted and most people who are awarded tenders don't create or develop enterprises that are capable of employing anyone. On top of that the white-owned businesses that are capable of employing people are slowly being bankrupted by preferential business practices. So what we are witnessing is a shrinking business sector that lacks the capacity to employ people. Most people now rely on government to create employment for them but no government in the world can employ every employable person in its country. So the truth is that it's time to give every business an opportunity to participate in the economy regardless of the skin colour of it's owners because that is the only way to reduce the unemployment rate in the country. The government needs to provide support to every privately owned business that has the capacity to employ people.

[@homonaledi640]

Great work

[@azamat.teacher.]

I am watching this from Kazakhstan

[@againstthemachine86]

Life has become such that we have to have multiple backup plans. This means having resources and for some its out of their reach. Its like every man for himself nowdays.

[@1slicka4nd]

Thank you for checking on us. It's rough out there. Especially when you loosed your income and cannot find suitable work. U need money to find a suitable job aswel. Other than that u are just used and abused. 😢

[@neobafana6043]

No one is safe this is scary

[@henri-basilhearne3480]

This is an honest, well produced and well executed piece of journalism, something sometimes rare from the Daily Maverick, thank you and well done.

[@STDRACO777]

What happened to the people he supported? they were not mentioned? Are they in the same situation or did they drop him after he could not pay their bills anymore?

[@carolinelapham5139]

❤and best wishes from Zimbabwe❤we have the same problems❤maybe We can get some positive ideas from you❤

[@TysonFMolemela]

Really love this video.. I think you're certainly better than a lot of people for even creating it, even if it may be your job.. I see that you're taking the conversation beyond simply reporting on the matter and that is a far more purposeful and valiant effort.. I just wish you, hopefully with the power of the Daily Maverick, could extend this conversation to the broader nation.. Although homelessness is rife in CapeTown, I think it's just as bad in the rest of the country, if not worse.. I understand that DM's jurisdiction is the WC, but I think this message could be very pertinent and useful to the rest of SOuth Africa as well.. Thank you

[@loganmedia1142]

There is a steady migration of people, both employed and poor unemployed, to Cape Town because it is perceived as place where there might be better prospects. That means poverty and homeless would indeed be rife elsewhere in South Africa. Unfortunately this steady influx of people makes Cape Town ever more crowded and expensive.

[@TysonFMolemela]

@@loganmedia1142 You just described a phenomena that happens in every major city in the world, including JHB, DBN, BFN, PE, etc.. I know CapeTown feels more special than other places in SA to it's inhabitants, but we all feel that way about SA..

[@logicalconspiracist7741]

💔💔💔 Thank you for trying to get their stories out there! Surely City of Cape Town could offer Inus & others like him with certain skills work even if it for a third of their value because the DA gets SOOO much in donations & they're always bragging about the Western Cape but when 1 drives around we see the condition of WC continuing to deteriorate! Tiny example: the castle never looked like it does now as well as so many other informal settlements which anyone can find on YT. Point is there's a picture being painted about WC which only some really witness or experience because of where in the WC we are located.

[@ij9375]

This was a very thoughtful video

[@gavinsheppard7772]

And alot of don't even know we poor...this videos need more views

[@DeedsDeeds-rk3ug]

Thank u there's no jobs there's just starving and pain causes mental health

[@The-truth-is-valuable.]

Many a time, when driving [ast many of these people, I have been saying it: The ONLY difference (on the outside) between me, and those people is, The month that I am not (yet) losing all I have. Because I (in many ways) do not have a safety net... my "current" safety net, is a very, very complicated story.

[@THEezrah]

as someone who wants the best for our country and will one day strive to put this into reality, i wish the government could invest in these people, yes they are homeless but amongst these people are talented, hardworking and exceptional individual...i myself have been in the CBD almost everyday of my life (since high school) and have witnessed this. what i would ask of the government is to build mass rehabilitation and skill development shelters. a hostel that houses these people, where they can get a proper rehab and some basic education and along with that when they learn skills the government can integrate them back into society by giving them government provided jobs like building infrastructure, cleaning the city, heck there could even be artists. the homeless population could contribute to economy but yall ain't ready for that

[@trudyneumann8945]

The elderly receive a government pension that is laughable. Government should have directed some of the stolen money to them, many of them paid taxes but had zero outside pension fund for support. No one wants to live on the street.😢

[@CitiesForTheFuture2030]

Thank you for this awesome & critical video topic. So many complex issues related to being unhoused - unemployment - lack of affordable housing - lack of social support for those with mental health needs - lack of action on the crisis by urban planners, managers & developers Vienna has an excellent social housing programme. Singapore has a rent to own social housing scheme. Curitiba (Brazil) has a very innovative approach to income generation opportunities, social housing & community support (eg trash for food programme). It's nice when decision & policy makers actually give a s**t about their constituents! Also check out the Buses4Homeless initiative in London & elsewhere.

[@desireelourens3644]

I could not agree more ...

[@ziintle]

Housing crisis in the WC is just awful.

[@loganmedia1142]

There's a general housing shortage in Cape Town due to the constant influx of people. And there isn't anywhere much left to build near the city,

[@edgerdeuce]

Meticulous job this.... We need more of this discussion which will eventually turn into action... I prefer to listen to the homeless folks I recognize or see regularly around places I frequent... Most of them didn't choose the street life... I had one I grew closer to, he had moved to Joburg newly graduated and had found a great job till a misunderstanding due to his unwillingness to accept his then GF breaking up with him and then moving on with one of his close friends led to him getting a minor criminal record which beget him losing his job.... Things just got worser for him from that point on...

[@thusspokezarathustra]

Universal Basic Income (UBI) should be considered as a basic human right not a privilege or grant. It's a way of civilising society to a point in which we agree that all citizens of a country must never be put in a situation in which their dignity as a human bring is so compromised that the mere task of maintaining human dignity is a question of whether you have income or not. UBI provided as a absolute right, at a level that provides the means every citizen can avoid ending up living an undignified life on the street.

[@beewest5704]

Unfortunately our country cannot even afford the grants we pay not & the govt is extensively working to lessen its recipients. That's why we have the 3 pot system. The govt wants to prevent pp, from resigning using all their pension money then in old age turn to the state. Ppl can only get a child grant for less than 4 kids. If you own a home over 300k you cannot get a govt old age pension. If you have someone sending you R100 at Christmas or your birthday or you receive maintenance from a kid you cannot get the SRD grant. Unfortunately many are suffering & in desperate need in our country & its getting worse. 😢

[@kelumo7981]

While this is indeed very sad that so many people are suffering, not only in this country but worldwide. Our cities deserves to be cleaned up, we cannot tolerate the filth in our inner cities just because we feel sorry for homeless people. Some of us, and thankfully city officials in Cape Town have a bigger picture in mind that these m0r0nic journalist pushing their agenda. We should not allow vagrancy whatever the cause is and at the same time the authorities have to find alternative decent accommodation those people and find them employment or put them in cooperatives to eke out a living When it comes to Mnr Gouws, it seems that he was working very nice job and definitely with a good salary, How did he end up in the streets??What about his provident fund...I know a lot of people who worked manual labor jobs earning a fraction of what Gouws earned and they have a roof over their heads today!!We cant be held hostage by people who made bad life decisions and then we are made to bend over backwards to accommodate them. This must be a lesson to people to always think about the future

[@mircagardenman7629]

This just depressed me even more.

[@moosa9850]

Tamsin, it would be in yours and others' best interests to move back to your parents' homes. Before you guys settle down. Best pay rent to your parents and save a ton of cash, shouldve listened to my dad, GOD ret his soul.

[@vapour250]

I have a question. What makes these people go on? If you have nothing left to live for, then why not just end it? It must take an incredible will to still survive to wake up every morning in these conditions and find the will to go on..

[@thekikster11]

Thanks 🙏🏽

[@hannesmulder6742]

This can happen to any of us no one is immune

[@jacoleighwessels3104]

Oh ja this can happen at anytime and at any speed.