Drakenstein Municipality steps up efforts to support homeless people

The Drakenstein Municipality has said it is committed to supporting homeless people in the area.

In October, seven homeless residents from Paarl and Wellington were reunited with their families in towns such as Strand and Ceres as part of the municipality’s initiative, Operation Homeward Bound.

The programme aims to restore dignity and help reintegrate people into their communities through family reunification.

The municipality also works with local non-governmental organisations to secure donations of food and clothing for those in need.

Senior social development officer, Geduld Veldsman, said that people living on the streets were not invisible, and the municipality is dedicated to helping them rebuild their lives.

"Another 11 people are currently being prepared to be reunited with their families to go to places like Ceres, Citrusdal, Velddrif and as far as Port Elizabeth. This initiative is also supported by social workers that is doing the preparation of the homeless people to ensure that they don’t come back and end up on the streets."