Wanted: Partnerships That Effect Change
Big Issue|Issue 286
COVID-19 is pushing available services to the limit and testing a fragile interdependent and complex system, writes Zahid Badroodien, mayoral committee member for Community Services and Health at the City of Cape Town.
Zahid Badroodien
Wanted: Partnerships That Effect Change

In this period, and as a result of the various lockdown levels, many communities suffer from ongoing and worsening levels of hunger, unemployment, lack of income and economic downturn. They are also experiencing social distress due to strict restrictions relating to funerals, religious events and cessation of normal social interactions from family gatherings.

The lockdown has also turned the spotlight on the needs of our homeless community, from the growing number of individuals sleeping rough across our city to their holistic care relating to health, psychosocial, emotional and rehabilitative needs.

Our homeless community is far too often judged and maligned through the imaginary process of painting every individual with the same stroke of the proverbial paintbrush. This community is a heterogeneous group, each individual with a unique set of needs, demanding a tailored and nuanced offer of support that established shelters or nongovernment organisation (NGO) networks can provide.

From our privileged perspectives, we too easily blame homeless individuals for the situation that they find themselves in. A blame we attribute to poor choices that they may have made, whether as a result of alcohol, drug addiction, mental health, criminal backgrounds or personal trauma. Some of this might be true, but more often than not, this is part of a bigger picture. We are blind to the fact that these ‘causes’ can actually be considered as outcomes.

ADDRESSING THE ISSUE

Denne historien er fra Issue 286-utgaven av Big Issue.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra Issue 286-utgaven av Big Issue.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA BIG ISSUESe alt
Visit The ‘Seaside Circus'
Big Issue

Visit The ‘Seaside Circus'

There’s a new art activation on the prom …

time-read
1 min  |
Issue 300
SA's Food Capture?
Big Issue

SA's Food Capture?

While the debate rages on over glyphosate-based herbicides, farmers are spraying the chemical all over the world

time-read
5 mins  |
Issue 300
Design That Uplifts, Delight Intrigues
Big Issue

Design That Uplifts, Delight Intrigues

A collaboration with Southern Guild at the Silo District in Cape Town showcases designer Rich Mnisi’s first solo exhibition, titled Nyoka, on show from 2 October 2021 through to 4 February 2022. Designed to reach out and inspire.

time-read
4 mins  |
Issue 300
Why Kaaps Language Dictionary Matters!
Big Issue

Why Kaaps Language Dictionary Matters!

The first-ever dictionary of South Africa’s Kaaps language has launched. Why it matters …

time-read
5 mins  |
Issue 300
Hungry, And Tired
Big Issue

Hungry, And Tired

This charity has been feeding Cape Town’s hungry for more than 80 years. Never have so many people queued for food.

time-read
6 mins  |
Issue 300
Life's Ups And Downs
Big Issue

Life's Ups And Downs

Feeling burnt out? Clinical Psychologist and Business Director at The Human Edge, Helene Vermaak, gives some grounded self-care advice for anyone feeling overstressed or depleted.

time-read
4 mins  |
Issue 300
WHAT'S ON?
Big Issue

WHAT'S ON?

Get out and about under the spring sun, or enjoy entertainment online from the comfort of your couch …

time-read
2 mins  |
Issue 300
SPACE TO REFLECT
Big Issue

SPACE TO REFLECT

When former Big Issue editor, Alicia English, lost her husband to Covid-19 earlier this year, she and her son discovered a novel way to process overwhelming, difficult feelings.

time-read
3 mins  |
Issue 300
INSPIRATIONAL READING
Big Issue

INSPIRATIONAL READING

Whether you tap, turn pages or listen to audiobooks, an inspirational read can help you relax and see the world differently.

time-read
2 mins  |
Issue 300
Rough sleeping
Big Issue

Rough sleeping

“Winters are the worst nightmare for us,” says a homeless man in Springs. Temperatures dropped to minus 7º C recently.

time-read
3 mins  |
Issue 300