HOMELESSNESS, AN AGE–OLD HEADACHE FOR THE CITY OF CAPE TOWN

The end of National State of Disaster could spell disaster for the homeless.

Photo by Michael Cohen-Bloomberg

HOMELESSNESS, AN AGE–OLD HEADACHE FOR THE CITY OF CAPE TOWN

When everyone else is celebrating the end of the National State of Disaster and the return to normalcy, it could spell disaster for tens of thousands of people who call the parks, streets, pavements and bridges of Cape Town their home.

For just over two years, the National State of Disaster became our way of life as the government was, like the rest of the world, seeking to help reduce the spread and impact of Covid-19.

But for the homeless, the National State of Disaster was a blessing in disguise as it meant they would not be victims of harassment and evictions.

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) in the Western Cape says the State of Disaster Regulations have protected the public, particularly unlawful occupiers, from eviction during the pandemic.

The SAHRC won a court battle against the City of Cape Town over eviction rights under the Disaster Regulations, last year. It says a plan of action was needed to address homelessness in the City. Speaking to Cape

Talk Radio, the SAHRC Western Cape commissioner Chris Nissen said a more sustainable solution for the homeless - and particularly those who have invaded land - was needed urgently.

“The problem is that we are sitting with a homelessness issue. So, what will happen during those evictions and where are you taking those people to? The City of Cape Town needs to implement an integrated response to homelessness that includes alternative shelter and engaging affected communities,” Nissen said.

Homelessness is a big challenge in South Africa, especially in Cape Town. A quick internet scan reveals that this problem was created by apartheid laws.

“Racial segregation and anti-black policies were used to preserve white rule in the country. Zoning laws controlled movement and places of residence for black people, forcing them into black townships in the whiteruled cities,” according Wikipedia.

Just like the City of Cape Town is doing, during apartheid, visible homelessness was not allowed on the streets. Those who were homeless due to apartheid policies moved into

shack settlements. The City of Cape Town relies on these types of apartheid-era laws like “vagrancy and pass laws” exported by the Dutch and the British to subjugate the indigenous peoples.

“In Cape Town, those lying down, sitting or standing in public spaces have been fined up to R2,000, while these by-laws technically apply to everyone, they disproportionately affect the homeless who often have nowhere else to go,” Aljazeera reported. It said “in the United Kingdom, MPs are calling for the government to repeal the 1824 Vagrancy Act, which criminalises rough sleeping in Cape Town”.

“But, instead of a repeal, there is an amendment to the by-laws. Those under review and public comment currently, would ‘allow law enforcement to physically remove homeless people from an area and arrest them on the spot if they refuse an offer of alternative shelter’.”

According to the Western Cape government website, it is estimated that there are about 4,862 homeless people in the greater Cape Town area and an estimated 700 live in the central business district. With the winter season approaching, this might mean more challenges for the City. Adi Kumar and Daniellé Louw, writing in the Daily Maverick, say the City cannot rely on the use of the law in addressing homelessness. They say the municipality needs compassion and respect for human dignity.

“While we continue to represent the street-based community in court proceedings, the reality is that the courts will not solve the phenomenon of homelessness. At best, the courts will demonstrate that Law Enforcement works outside the parameters of the law and certainly does not operate in the interests of all people.

“Is this the kind of city we want to live in? One that harasses the defenceless and impounds their belongings under a by-law relating to 'goods and animals", as if streetbased people are not human?

“We recognise that the number of people living on the street has risen exponentially over the past two years. Covid-19 has decimated many people’s incomes, and many households with nowhere to turn have been forced on to the street,” the report said. Two months ago, Cape Times reported that organisations working with homeless people were optimistic that the City of Cape Town has shown change of heart in its approach. It seems it has moved away from relying only on punitive measures when dealing with the homeless.

The report says the change of heart was expressed by mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis. According to the news report, the amended Streets, Public Places and the Prevention of Noise Nuisances by-law amendments are somewhat softer.

“By-laws now uniquely require that alternative accommodation be offered, and ensure that sleeping and camping overnight in public places is no longer classified as an automatic offence if no other choice is available to a person,” it stated.

The City said the amendments effectively decriminalised a conduct where no alternative was available while still ensuring that every intervention of the city was oriented towards assisting people to move off the streets.

PEOPLE’S POET IS STILL MZANSI’S VOICE OF REASON!

By Jabu Kumalo

Known affectionately in South Africa as a "people's poet," Mbuli has been haunted for his political convictions throughout his career.

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During the dark days of apartheid, his music was censored. He was also subjected to unending persecution, banning orders and detention without trial. Nevertheless, lovers of the “People’s Poet” – Mzwakhe Mbuli’s inspiring voice and messages played his music.

Prayer meetings at Soweto’s Regina Mundi and other places during the 1980s were not complete without his poetic voice. Even when he was not on the agenda of the day, people would demand that Mzwakhe be given a platform to render his poems.

His poems and music were a thorn in the side of the apartheid regime that the South African Broadcast Corporation (SABC) was ordered not to give him airplay for 13 years. That was understandable, according to him, because during the days of oppression the battle lines were clearly drawn.

But he cannot understand it when the same censorship is applied in this century by the ‘people’s government’, which always prides itself of freedom of speech. He wonders what he has done to deserve such cruelty from those he probably fought in the trenches alongside.

In an interview with The Telegram, Mzwakhe kept asking nobody in particular: “Manje mina ngenzeni?” (What have I done?) Is it my fault that I cannot romanticise the truth? Is it my fault that I cannot tap dance around the truth? Ngenzeni, because it was Oxfam that said our country thrives on three things, poverty, inequality and racism.”

He is deeply aggrieved that he took his time and of his creative colleagues to come up with a great album, but at the end of the day, it is not getting airplay at the SABC. In the CD, called Vuka Darkie, Mbuli’s poems and music does not mince words with the state of affairs in the country today. It tells the truth that is too harsh to swallow. This album’s lyrics are a strong clarion call for action to do it ourselves.

He was unapologetic when he said: “I will never sing about squeeze me baby nonsense because those are just empty lyrics. Under the democratic government, the doors of culture are still not open. “Last year, I launched Vuka Darkie and the lyrics are clear there. Now is the time to reclaim our dignity and power. It is not my fault that poverty has colour in South Africa.

“Now is the time to think deep and change the narrative. My album is completely sabotaged. Virtually in this country, uMzwakhe uvaliwe (is censored). But I am a prisoner of hope mina, ngahlula amabhunu (I have defeated the Boers). I am there, I will prevail. No force will make me disappear. My credentials speak for themselves.” Mzwakhe has staged sit-ins before to bring attention when his music is not getting fair play: “I staged a a sit-in at the SABC during the era of Zwelakhe Sisulu, because they didn’t want to play my song about drugs.

“But today people are crying about whoonga and nyaope. It was not the first or the last time I staged a sit-in. Last year I also staged a sit-in after realising that my new album was not being played.

“The hatred some people have for me is mind boggling. I am not like those who have killed themselves and write a note that they were frustrated. I am not that kind. I have defeated all kinds of torture. I know all kinds of pain. So, I’ll never contemplate killing myself. I am socialised and groomed differently. Ubaba wakhulisa insizwa la kumina (dad brought up a man in me).

The People’s Poet was not the only one who has gone through pain of censorship. He said the likes of Mama Miriam Makeba died abroad because their music was not played here. Makeba died on stage while performing in Italy.

The irate Mbuli continued: “I defeated the Boers. I defeated the Transvaal Publication Board. History is repeating itself. The more things change, the more they stay the same. It’s not the first time I work on an album, and work on it thoroughly, make sure I perfect it and package it, but at the end it gets censored. It happened under apartheid and it is happening again under democracy. So, it does not really bother me.

“We have a democracy of bullies and poverty. This word democracy is like you are saying ‘Hallelujah Amen’ and people forget the pain. The Boers censorship was accompanied by detention, torture and imprisonment. So, this one is just ice cream. It’s nothing compared to what I have gone through. They must try something else, but not censorship. I have gone through censorship. So, that’s why I have a poem that says: I’m no longer a stranger to pain.

“Airplay in this country is conditional. As we speak, they play music laced with insults like Omunye phez’komunye or Ha o morata o morotele. Airplay is not oxygen, otherwise I would be needing oxygen supply because I would die. Abantu abana dankie (people are not thankful).

The SABC said Mzwakjh’s work is not banned or censored by the corporation. Gugu Ntuli, the SABC Executive for Corporate Affairs and Marketing told The Telegram: “The South African Broadcasting Corporation has addressed Mzwakhe Mbuli on this matter before. The broadcaster has not banned his music and the stations schedule his music as and when the occasion permits. As the SABC receives new music on a weekly basis, music committees approve new music informed by the station’s strategy and researched listener preference.’’

Mzwakhe said he wishes “the dead could rise and see what their sacrifice has become. The rightful owners of this land have become sub-tenants. The land is not yet back. The wealth of the country is still in white hands.” In a sober society and normal country, the likes of the People’s Poet would be treated like a national asset. Unfortunately, not here. Here he is treated worse than apartheid assassins and murderers.

Besides his music being censored, Mbuli has gone through pain that others would have to live nine lives to experience. He has survived assassination attempts where he was missed by nine bullets, while he was with Mama Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. He also In a sober society and normal country, the likes of the People’s Poet would be treated like a national asset. Unfortunately, not here. Here he is treated worse than apartheid assassins and murderers. Besides his music being censored, Mbuli has gone through pain that others would have to live nine lives to experience. He has survived assassination attempts where he was missed by nine bullets, while he was with Mama Winnie Madikizela- Mandela. survived many other assassination attempts. His Pimville house was attacked with hand grenades by Vlakplaas operatives. He was repeatedly detained and tortured by Security Branch Police.

As if that was not enough, during this new democracy, he was arrested and spent 18 months awaiting trial and was denied bail five times. He recalls: “Some people who called themselves prosecutors once visited me. They said they were from the prosecutors’ office. They told me to tell all those who are trying to organise bail for me that they should stop wasting their time, because it’s like pouring water on a duck’s back.” He said those who are fighting him are like Covid-19. They are like doctors who fight an enemy they don’t see. “I am surprised that I went to jail, but there are those who have chowed billions and yet I don’t see any arrest,” said Mzwakhe.

AUTISM AWARENESS– SA FACES LONG ROAD AHEAD

World Autism Awareness Day is observed annually on 2 April and this year’s goal is to address inclusive education. The rest of the month is dedicated to putting a spotlight on the hurdles that people with autism face

By Ndivhuwo Mukwevho

As the globe marked World Autism Awareness Day, South Africans living with autism continue to face several obstacles like unemployment, a limited choice of schools, discrimination and a lack of support. Vicky Oettlé, an Educational Specialist at Autism South Africa, said autistic people see the world differently as compared to neurotypical individuals. “Autism is a neurodevelopmental disability. It is not damage to the brain, but rather the brain that appears to develop differently. They communicate differently, behave differently and have different experiences of the world,” explained Oettlé.

“We do not know the cause of autism. However, we do know that it is more than likely genetic. Nothing that a parent or family does will cause someone to be autistic. Autism should be considered a natural part of human diversity,” she explained.

Oettlé also indicated that a child from around the age of 18 months can be diagnosed or identified as autistic. However, several studies are looking at being able to identify it as soon as at six months. Autism can be diagnosed throughout one’s lifespan – there are many adults seeking a diagnosis in their thirties, forties and fifties. Schooling – a problem

She said autistic people face discrimination on a day-to-basis and that many children aren’t in schools due to various reasons. “Schools are often too far away, too expensive or do not understand autism. Autism South Africa works closely with the Basic Department of Education, and we are in the process of trying to rectify schooling options.

“There are definitely not enough schools. Another big need is the teacher support, training, and continuous education to ensure they are supporting the autistic learners Dembe, on of the millions of South African children living with Autism. in their class adequately. Families simply are not aware that they can take their child to school. One of our biggest gaps currently is in our older teens and adults,” Oettlé explained Another hurdle is the country’s high rate of unemployment as many employers lack basic understanding of autism. The unemployment factor

“Families are often marginalised because they need to look after their children, and they often need to take additional time off to take their child to therapy or doctors’ appointments. Many of the families we support are unemployed, single parents. “We have many unemployed, young adults who are not supported by post-school options and are sitting at home. This is a group that we’ll be focusing on in the coming months. We campaign throughout the year to raise awareness and to create acceptance. It is no longer enough for us to just be aware of autism, we need to accept that it is part of our human race,” said Oettlé.

Statistic South Africa’s Quarterly Labour Force Survey for the third quarter of 2021, stated that the official unemployment rate was 34,9%. This shows that the number of employed persons decreased by 660 000 to 14,3 million. Oettlé also said autistic people need to be afforded opportunities so they can also succeed in life and become active members of the society.

“In terms of government, unfortunately it is not doing enough to support autistic people. “There are currently no government facilities available for adults to go to, which will diagnose them. Children can access free therapy within government hospitals until the age of six.

At this point, they should be able to access therapies at school. However, hospitals often have long waiting lists,” she said. Embracing the condition Maanda Ndou, whose daughter was diagnosed when she was only four, believes autistic people can be successful if afforded opportunities. His daughter, Dembe Angel Ndou, is now 21. “It was hard to accept at first, especially since she is our first-born child. But through the love we have for her, we quickly learnt how to live with it and embraced her condition. “We raised Dembe to be an independent woman. It has, however, been challenging at times, since she can’t speak and we struggle to communicate with her. But we’ve learned to embrace and accept her the way she is,” said Ndou. Voice of an Angel Though she cannot speak, Dembe can sing. To everyone’s amazement, she has just released her first gospel album and is often invited to sing at various churches in Gauteng and Limpopo.

The proud father said: “When she was still young, doctors advised us that we buy her a soccer ball, so that she can learn how to use both of her hands and fingers. But I decided against the idea and instead, I bought her a small musical keyboard, which I believe is the one which triggered her love for music. And now she can play various musical instruments and is able to imitate various gospel songs with ease.” Dembe, who is originally from Limpopo but currently resides in Chiawelo, Gauteng with her parents, started singing and playing keyboard properly when she was 11-years old. Ndou urged parents who are raising children with various disabilities to embrace their uniqueness and encourage them to be independent. “Having a disability does not mean that one is ‘invalid’. It hurts me when I still read and hear stories of parents who hide their disabled children at home. Disabled children deserve to be supported and encouraged to follow their dreams like everyone else,” said Ndou. - Health-e News.