WORLD HOMELESS DAY MARKED WITH HOPE AND ACTION

By Sipho Ncube.

• Commitment to Inclusion – The Northern Corridor reaffirmed its pledge to ensure homeless individuals have equal access to developmental and empowerment opportunities.
• Chairperson of the Tshwane Homelessness Forum, Sam Moimaine, stressed the importance of long-term solutions, stating, “They cannot be homeless forever; they need to transition from homelessness to entrepreneurship through skills development.”
  • The University of Pretoria announced a forthcoming homelessness survey to evaluate the impact of existing programmes in Tshwane.

The Gauteng Department of Social Development’s Northern Corridor joined the global community in commemorating World Homeless Day on 17 October through a series of exhibitions, hotspot visits, and motivational speeches.
The commemoration, held at the Methodist Church Hall in Pretoria Central, was themed “Join the Global Movement to End Homelessness and Make a Difference in Someone’s Life.”
Observed annually on October 10, World Homeless Day was first recognised in 2010 as a global effort to raise awareness, share best practices, and advocate for sustainable solutions to prevent and end homelessness. The day also celebrates ongoing efforts by governments, civil society, and communities to improve the lives of those without shelter.
In her opening remarks, Northern Corridor Director Vivian Makhavhu reaffirmed the Department’s commitment to inclusive service delivery.
“Our intention is that all beneficiaries, regardless of their standing, should have access to departmental services. Homeless people are part of our communities and deserve programs and skills development opportunities that can transform their lives for the better,” she said.
Sam Moimaine, Chairperson of the Tshwane Homelessness Forum, emphasised the importance of empowerment and long-term support.
“Homeless people should be equipped to sustain themselves. They cannot be homeless forever; they need to transition from homelessness to entrepreneurship through skills development,” he urged.
Adding a research perspective, Remembrance Mokwena-Ngulele from the University of Pretoria announced an upcoming initiative to assess the impact of homelessness interventions.
“Towards the end of the month, we will be conducting a body count of homeless people to evaluate the effectiveness of programs offered by both the City of Tshwane and the Gauteng Department of Social Development,” she said.
The commemoration highlights the Department’s ongoing mission to restore dignity, empower the vulnerable, and promote sustainable solutions to homelessness through collaboration and compassion.