Through my eyes

The word "homeless" is increasingly translated as "hopeless" by society

It's easy to see how our weak economy has affected the people in South Africa. My recent visit to Cape Town has presented a sad reality of poverty, desperation and violence. The Mother City never looked this grim to me. Cape Town has somehow lost its charm and the shiny veneer has lost its high gloss finish.

As we toured around the swanky tourist districts, we found people begging on every street corner. Everywhere we looked there was a hand out or a plastic cup asking for donation, money to buy food or anything to support their families

My boys advised me to ignore the beggars and not to make eye contact, having lived in Cape Town for a few years they have become immune to the constant barrage of unpleasant confrontations, I just could not just turn the blind eye. Speaking to some of the people on the street, I realised that most of them have some kind of addiction or dependency issues, for some there is just no turning back.

What fascinated me the most was that all the homeless folk were mostly locals, Cape Town natives who just lost their way and landed up on the streets. Sleeping rough, scrounging for anything, surviving on what the odd tourist would throw at them. The Mother City appeared very un-motherly.

Unlike KZN, Cape Town has a huge foreign African population. Almost every hotel, restaurant and hospitality outlet seems to have a Congolese, Zimbabwean or a Nigerian running the show. They appear hard working and grateful for the opportunity at a better life.

We spoke to a Zimbabwean waiter, Daniel from a Green Point restaurant. While life in South Africa has been financially rewarding, Daniel did not feel safe. He said that each night when the taxi comes to take them home to Khayelitsha Township, they all bow their heads and say a prayer for a safe journey before setting off. Life in the townships is dangerous; it's run by ruthless gangs and merciless drug lords, even though they have roofs over their heads, their lives are continuously threatened.

My heart really ached for the people in Cape Town. Sure there is wealth, so much of it, but the omissible misery of the population that are too frightened to sit on their sofa while watching TV in the evenings, being forced to sit on the floor to avoid being hit by a stray bullet from the frequent shootings that take place in their neighbourhoods. What kind of a life is that.

As much as I long to see our country flourish and prosper, I see the cracks appearing. The Grand is not so Grand and the One & Only are just one of many hospitality establishments that are experiencing the effects of our slowed economy and the repercussions of the state capture.

We really do need to count our blessings, while there are blessings to be counted and while homelessness is a global issue, lets not forget to show compassion to those less fortunate than us.