 | Finding their way home: A compassionate approach to homelessness
05 November 2025 | Press Releases |
5 November 2025
In Drakenstein, people living on the streets are not invisible. They are someone's child, parent, sibling or spouse. Each individual has a story, an identity and the potential to find their way home - with the right support.
Drakenstein Municipality maintains an up-to-date database of people living on our streets and actively supports them through our Homeless People Policy, revised by Council in August 2025. This policy outlines a compassionate and structured approach to voluntary reintegration, with a strong focus on dignity and family reunification.
The Municipality collaborates with local non-governmental organisations, such as CRC Cares in Paarl and Networking for Christ in Wellington. Their social workers engage with homeless individuals to understand the circumstances that led them to the streets and explore paths to recovery.
The Municipality's Community Services and Public Safety Departments coordinate logistics, clothing, food and transport to help individuals return home voluntarily. This is only undertaken once the officials and social workers have completed an assessment to confirm the readiness of the individual to return home and a willingness to be accepted, which helps to make the initiative sustainable. They also identify candidates for public employment programmes and skills development opportunities.
“The goal is to promote dignity and reintegration through a family reunification programme," explains Geduld Veldsman, Senior Social Development Officer of Drakenstein Municipality. “We only contact families of individuals who express a desire to return home. Our departments are committed to treating homeless individuals with respect and care to build trust."
In October alone, seven individuals were successfully reunited with their families, which is a testament to the effectiveness of Drakenstein Municipality's organised and caring approach.
“Reintegration is a two-way commitment," explains Geduld. “The individual must genuinely want to leave the streets, and the family must be willing to welcome them back. Once reunited, we offer counselling and guidance to support a smooth transition."
Not everyone chooses to leave the streets. For those who prefer to remain, the Municipality ensures access to night shelters and enforces bylaws respectfully.
“Living on the street is not a crime," Geduld emphasises. “No one can be forcibly removed. However, we do expect homeless individuals to respect municipal bylaws."
Property owners are encouraged to report any trespassing to the Municipality at 021 807 8505, and the public is urged not to hand out food or clothing directly to homeless individuals. Instead, donations of non-perishable food, clothing, and toiletries are welcomed at local shelters, such as:
- CRC Cares Paarl Overnight Shelter, Van der Merwe Street, Paarl
- The Haven Night Shelter, 6 Ambagsvallei Street, Paarl
- NFCSA Night Shelter, Voor Street, Wellington
[END]
Issued by: Communication and Marketing, Drakenstein Municipality
About Drakenstein Municipality
Located an hour's drive from Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa, Drakenstein Municipality encompasses the towns of Paarl, Wellington, Gouda, Simondium, and Saron. It is one of the country's most financially sound, well-governed, stable and sustainable municipalities. The Municipality has been rated South Africa's number one secondary city and has, since 2011, achieved 10 clean audits.
Visit our website: www.drakenstein.gov.za or visit on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.
