Homelessness in Nelson Mandela Bay has escalated into a severe crisis, with an estimated 4 000 individuals now living on the streets. This troubling situation has been aggravated by the socio-economic challenges the city has faced post-COVID-19, as well as a worsening housing crisis over recent years.
According to Ward 7 Councillor Brendon Pegram, projections suggest that by 2030 Nelson Mandela Bay could face a housing shortfall of over 100 000 units.
“The rise in homelessness has inevitably led to frequent clashes between property owners and the homeless, often because the latter are forced to trespass on private property in search of shelter. These confrontations are exacerbated by the fact that many homeless individuals struggle with addiction to drugs or alcohol, a consequence of their dire socio-economic circumstances. This addiction makes it difficult to engage them in respecting public or private property, leaving owners with little recourse but to seek intervention from the Metro Police and SAPS,” Pegram said.
The growing number of people living on the streets highlights a critical shortage of shelters and funding for facilities that could provide suitable accommodation for the homeless.
“In response to this urgent need, I have personally appealed to the city for funding to establish a new shelter or, at the very least, to build basic sleeping and ablution facilities, as seen in other cities. This initiative could significantly alleviate the problem in the future.”
Pegram added that one existing shelter, MES (Mould, Empower, Serve), located on Kempston Road, offers more than just a safe haven.
“MES runs rehabilitation programmes aimed at helping people transition off the streets. The organisation supports individuals across the metro and based in Ward 7, its residents often contribute to community efforts such as clean-ups, painting road markings, and maintaining municipal parks.”
However, as an NGO, MES relies entirely on public donations to sustain its operations.
The business hub of Newton Park has seen a notable influx of homeless people in recent years, attracted by the potential to earn a living in the area. Many residents who conduct business in Newton Park provide money to these individuals, often unintentionally fuelling substance abuse that can further deteriorate their lives.
In March this year, Ward 6 Councillor Gert Engelbrecht, and Pegram, collaborated with the assistance of SAPS in an operation to search the homeless living under the bridge at the 3rd Avenue dip, in Newton Park.
“The municipality has observed an increase of people who are living and working in the streets along the Summerstrand and Humewood beachfront in Wards 1 and 2, and other areas around the metro. As this trend occurs, the municipality timely profiles those found on the streets to assess their circumstances and to determine the necessary intervention,” said NMBM Media Liaison Officer, Mamela Ndamase, in response to this growing problem.
“I strongly urge the public to refrain from giving money to homeless individuals in Newton Park. Instead, offer food, or support shelters like MES financially. Our collective goal must be to get these individuals off the streets and into rehabilitation, an outcome that will never be achieved if they continue to subsist on street earnings. In an effort to address the situation, I have recently engaged with the Department of Social Development. They have begun profiling some of the affected individuals to identify effective ways and means of rehabilitation.
“The crisis of homelessness in Nelson Mandela Bay demands urgent and sustained action from all sectors of society. By working together, we can help these vulnerable individuals find a path to a better life, off the streets and free from addiction,” said Pegram.
For more information on how to assist MES, contact Ronny Naude on 083 733 3647.
