KNYSNA NEWS - The municipality's ongoing efforts to aid the homeless in Knysna are bearing fruit. Last week, Knysna Municipality announced that a temporary safe space for the homeless is in the pipeline.
Last week, Councillor Waleed Grootboom also led a group of homeless people in an initiative to clean sections of Knysna and in return for their dedication to the job, participants were treated to a physical makeover of their own on Thursday 11 August, during the municipality's Homeless Empowerment Programme.
According to Grootboom, they were provided with transport to Loerie Park where they enjoyed a shower, had their hair cut or styled, and had their ID photos taken.
"Many residents mistakenly assume that the homeless are responsible for all the littering in town," said Grootboom in a recent municipal press release.
"We mentioned this to them and suggested that we join forces to find ways in which they can take ownership, assume some responsibility and contribute towards keeping Knysna clean."
This led to Grootboom's clean-up initiative that saw sections of the Main Road (N2) and the Knysna Taxi Rank cleaned by homeless people on 27 July.
"It is important that we change the preconceived perception we all have of the homeless, and to aid these individuals in reintegrating with society and eventually securing full-time employment," said Grootboom.
Commenting on the cleaners' treat of receiving a "clean-up" themselves, Grootboom said, "We know that there is much to do to secure an eventual, holistic solution to the situation of homelessness in the greater Knysna municipal area.
"Changing how we see the members of this fragile community is crucial to creating an environment where we can work together to solve the problem. I urge our residents to support us in this quest and, if you are in a position to do so, to donate any items or clothing or non-perishable foods. Our shared compassion will allow us to create an inclusive, innovative and inspired Knysna."
Grootboom and the municipality expressed special thanks to Knysna Rotary Club, the Knysna Community Police Forum, The Rock Church, Soul Buddies Driving School, B&V Construction, Knysna Muslim Council, the Knysna/Sedgefield Hospice and Red Cross Knysna.
If you would like to contribute to the cause in the form of a donation, you can contact Lizel Baatjies on 044 302 6342/060 998 7106 or lbaartjies@knysna.gov.za.
Related article: Finding a home for Knysna's homeless
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