‘It will break you’: Homeless man living on Table Mountain for 10 years shares daily reality

A call to CapeTalk has pulled back the curtain on life on Table Mountain, after a homeless man who has lived there for nearly a decade shared his daily reality, survival strategies and views on the city.

Vincent, a long-time listener who phoned in during a discussion about Table Mountain, later joined the studio to tell his story, drawing widespread interest from Capetonians and others familiar with the iconic landmark.

From caller to central voice

Vincent said he has been living on Table Mountain for about 10 years after losing steady work and being unable to pay rent.

RELATED: People living on Table Mountain reveal hidden community on the slopes

He described a varied past, including work in IT, the film industry and teaching abroad, before returning to Cape Town and gradually falling into financial difficulty.

“I slowly got less and less work, and then eventually I couldn't pay rent anymore,” he said.

Why Table Mountain, and not shelters

Vincent said he chose life on the mountain over shelters, describing many facilities as restrictive and ‘dehumanising’.

“Shelters work for some people… but you have to swallow a lot… they are not prepared to bend for whatever specific needs you might have.”

He added that staying temporarily with friends was not a long-term solution.

“I thought… I’m going to stay with people until they get tired of me, and then I’m going to end up on the street anyway.”

Daily life on the mountain

Vincent said his daily routine depends on whether he has food.

“If I have food, I stay on the mountain… I make the food, and I read. If not, then I go to town and try to get money.”

He survives without a tent, using basic bedding and plastic for shelter against rain, and said Cape Town’s relatively mild weather makes outdoor living possible.

The hidden toll of homelessness

Beyond food and shelter, Vincent highlighted the psychological strain of homelessness.

“How do they stay sane? That’s by far the biggest challenge.”

He described long nights without sleep and intrusive thoughts.

“If you're not insane when you land on the street, it will drive you insane if you're there long enough.”

Rejection and dignity

Vincent said constant rejection is one of the hardest parts of life on the street.

“That rejection… it breaks you.”

He urged people to at least acknowledge homeless individuals.

“Look them in the eyes and just say I’m sorry.”

‘Be careful with language’

He also cautioned against the use of the term ‘bergie’, explaining its historical and racial origins.

“It’s a racialised term… it has offensive baggage… people are generally okay with the term ‘homeless’.”

Access to basic services

Vincent said libraries are among the few welcoming public spaces available to him, but the lack of a fixed address limits access to services.

“I don’t have a library card because I don’t have proof of address.”

He added that this also prevented him from registering to vote.

Views on the city

Vincent said he feels the City of Cape Town treats homeless people as a problem to be removed.

“It feels like the city is at war with us… We’re still cleaning people up.”

He claimed law enforcement officers recently moved him on at night.

A broader issue

Vincent stressed he does not speak for all homeless people, but said poverty, unemployment and lack of support networks are key drivers.

“This life… if you’re there long enough… it will break you.”

Use the audio player below to listen to Vincent on CapeTalk’s Good Morning Cape Town with Lester Kiewit: