By Mapaballo Borotho
- South Africa’s homeless population is among those hardest hit by this week’s freezing weather, with many people forced to sleep outdoors or rely on makeshift shelters, blankets and plastic to stay warm.
- In Johannesburg, homeless people told Kaya 959 about the daily struggle of surviving temperatures that dropped to as low as 3 degrees Celsius, while some shelters remain overcrowded and unable to accommodate everyone.
- Meanwhile, two homeless people in Randburg told Kaya 959 that two of their fellow homeless community members died on Wednesday night, although police have not confirmed whether the deaths were linked to the cold.
South Africa’s homeless population is among those hardest hit by this week’s freezing weather, with thousands of people facing the risk of hypothermia as temperatures plunge across the country.
The country has approximately 55,000 homeless people, many of whom have little protection from the elements and are forced to sleep on the streets during the cold winter months.
Some shelters are unable to accommodate everyone seeking refuge, with overcrowding and limited resources leaving many people with nowhere to go.
In the City of Gold, homeless people are relying on parks, taxi ranks and other enclosed spaces for shelter, while using worn-out blankets, cardboard and plastic to protect themselves from the cold.
In Rosebank, in the north of Johannesburg, homeless individuals described the harsh reality of surviving the winter months.
One of the individuals that Kaya 959 interviewed in the leafy Joburg suburb said they find shelter in parks, taxi ranks and other enclosed areas, relying on body heat, their worn-out blankets, cardboard and plastics.
“I have been living in the streets for over six years now. I tried living in a homeless shelter, but they were too strict. I used to go out to the streets to collect cans for recycling, and I couldn’t make it to the shelter in time, so I chose to just stay in the street.”
Joburg temperatures dropped between 3 and 4 degrees Celsius this week, with snowfall also reported in some parts of the city.
Emergency services have remained on high alert amid concerns that residents may resort to unsafe methods of keeping warm, which can result in house fires, injuries and loss of lives.
‘We cope, we survive’
One of the men interviewed by Kaya 959 said he has continued sleeping outdoors despite the freezing temperatures.
“I have been sleeping here amid the freezing temperatures. I have some blankets. I also use plastics, they are able to keep us warm. However, I could not wait for the sun to really come out.
Going back to the shelter is not an option for me at this point,” he added.
Another homeless man found sleeping in a park in Rosebank appealed to the Gauteng Provincial Government to provide more shelters for the vulnerable.
He also called for more lenient rules for older homeless people who are looking for employment opportunities.
He told Kaya 959 that he’s been living in the streets for nearly three years now, and the freezing conditions never get better.
He’s on the streets due to unemployment and personal family disputes.
“I have not been handling the cold quite well,” he giggled.
“But what can I do? Maybe one day the sun will shine on me, and I will get a job again,” he said.
He showed Kaya 959 his worn-out blankets, which he keeps inside black municipal plastic bags and uses to stay warm during the winter nights.
He said he spends much of his late morning at the park to take advantage of the warmth from the sun.
“Where I sleep there’s a roof, so the rain was not much of a problem, but I really felt the freezing temperatures. We cope, we survive,” he said.
‘Two of our brothers passed away’
In Randburg, two homeless people told Kaya 959 that two of their fellow community members died on Wednesday evening due to the cold temperature.
A yellow crime scene tape surrounded the area where they said they usually seek shelter at night.
Inside the cordoned-off area was a worn-out blanket.
Gauteng police have not confirmed whether the deaths were caused by the freezing temperatures.
Kaya 959 contacted the police for statistics on deaths potentially linked to the cold weather this week, but the communication team said the information was not available.
As the cold conditions continue, homeless people remain particularly vulnerable, with limited access to shelter, warm clothing and safe heating.
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