Homeless men now have a place to call home during lockdown

ABERDEEN NEWS - A facility has been established at the showgrounds to house some of the homeless men in Aberdeen during the lockdown.

Ward committee member Lee-Ann Kekana was initially concerned about three men who had been living at the Aberdeen refuse site for years. She contacted Ward 1 Councillor Willem Safers and Speaker Thembisa Nonnies, who is also based in Aberdeen.

"They didn't know there were any homeless people in Aberdeen, but once I told them, the Speaker arranged with Aberdeen manager Clive Kombani for the hall at the showgrounds to be made available for the men," said Kekana.

The local police station donated some mattresses, and a request posted on the town's WhatsApp group saw generous donations flow in from the community. The three men from the refuse site moved in on 23 March and they were joined by three more men the following day. One of these is from Durban and the other two were trying to make their way to Cape Town from the former Transkei.

The latter had been sleeping on the streets after walking from Graaff-Reinet to Aberdeen a few days earlier, and Kekana found them searching through bins, looking for something to eat.

Gift of the Givers has donated food and various local volunteers have been preparing their meals. From the community, items ranging from toiletries and a kettle to home-made blankets and clothing were given, all very gratefully received by the new tenants of the hall.

On Saturday, Corene Conradie of Gift of the Givers came to Aberdeen again and brought more clothes, food and water for the men.

The need for social distancing has been explained to the men and the careful spacing between the neat row of mattresses is evidence that they understand it. The additional clothing from Gift of the Givers was very welcome and was soon distributed.

Gift of the Givers has donated food and various local volunteers have been preparing their meals.