Homeless Population Receives Warmth Amid Cold Front

Ward 69 Councilor Cindy Billson

In response to the harsh conditions brought on by a cold front, homeless individuals in Centurion were provided with blankets and warm soup, thanks to the efforts of Ward 69 Councilor Cindy Billson and the Give Hope NGO.

Over the weekend, Billson and the NGO organized a blanket drive to support those in need. Reflecting on the day’s events, Billson expressed her satisfaction at witnessing the community coming together to make a positive impact on the lives of the less fortunate. However, she emphasized the need for continued efforts, suggesting the implementation of a coupon system whereby donations could be directed to an organization assisting the homeless in Centurion. This system would enable residents to contribute to the cause and offer assistance to individuals who are begging, ultimately working towards restoring dignity to those in need.

Billson has been involved in the blanket drive since 2000 when she initiated the initiative while working in Hillbrow, Johannesburg. She called upon residents to support the cause through donations, highlighting that the inner city alone currently has an estimated 11,000 homeless people. Billson also mentioned the metro’s collaboration with the Pen organization to address homelessness in the city.

According to Billson, Centurion has several organizations in various suburbs dedicated to helping destitute individuals. These organizations aim to break the cycle of poverty, although they do not provide accommodation and meals. One such organization, Basadi Ba Moshito, expressed their inability to donate blankets at present. Nevertheless, they affirmed their commitment to distributing food every Monday as part of their ongoing program.

The exact number of homeless people in the country remains unknown. However, the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) estimates that between 100,000 and 200,000 citizens currently live on the streets.

_{Source: Rekord
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