A "happy new year" does not apply to homeless people, but Danny Oosthuizen is hopeful that next year things will change.
Tired. We are constantly tired, physically and emotionally. Another year is almost done and dusted. The next few days will see festivities in full swing. But for us, it will be the same.
We will not be welcome in places such as Long Street party spots. The bouncers and security guards will chase us away, call us names. Some might even get physical.
This year was marked by name calling, public spats, and downright emotional abuse. We will be chased away from the parks and other public spaces. We are an embarrassment to the tourists.
This was a year where the city council over-promised and under-delivered. So-called safe spaces in Milnerton were on the cards. Expanded Public Works Programme jobs were promised. Nothing.
Help the homeless become helpless. Law enforcement still comes to sweep areas clean by removing everything we own. We have the luxury of starting all over.
We have been failed yet again. A "happy new year" does not apply to us. Some of us will spend a night in jail for loitering.
Yes, it’s all about statistics. And the R100 fine we are issued with never gets paid.
Administration costs that are a waste of taxpayers' money. How can we improve ourselves? Who do we sleep with in this city council to become "all inclusive"?
Rumour has it that more than 60 percent of crime in the central business district (CBD) can be linked to homeless people.
Can someone please provide the evidence that this 60 percent has been to court and found guilty. Since the city council is doing everything to prevent us from doing recycling work and parking cars, how would you suggest we earn a living?
We’re not moving to Blikkiesdorp. We live in this CBD and the noble idea of a vegetable garden will not solve the problem since the city council does not invest in these projects in a meaningful, productive manner. And those from the Department of Social Development made no effort to come and meet us.
They did not come to our Christmas party or at least send a representative. Well, next year things will change in a very productive manner.
Ironically, many years ago I met Western Cape Premier Helen Zille at an anti-child abuse march in Brixton, Joburg. I have known DA ward councillor Cindy Grobbelaar and this is how I got to go for lunch at Elsabe Zietsman's Guest House after the march. Zille even drank a Savanna out of the bottle and was very in touch with the poor, needy and abused. These days I just stare with amazement at her Twitter comments regarding racism.
Next year could be the year when all of us will have a place in the sun.
Where we can work towards bettering ourselves. We are Capetonians and, thanks to some by-laws, we are seen and fined as criminals due to poor service delivery: public toilets.
People who suffer from addictions (a medical condition by the way) will be locked up in Pollsmoor Prison for a few months. And in case you did not know, drug offenders all of a sudden do not receive legal assistance.
* Danny’s column usually appears on a Tuesday, but was held because the paper was not published this past Tuesday.