The programme is expected to take place at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Bloemfontein Central. According to the departmental spokesperson, Thembile Nqabeni, the programme is part of the Department of Social Development’s plans to restore the dignity of people working and living on the streets of Mangaung. Although the department does not have a policy that helps homeless people, it believes something must be done to reinstate and restore their integrity.

“Homelessness is a social problem instigated by unemployment, poverty, hunger, migration, inequalities, social exclusion and home desertion. The department will conduct a profile of people living and working on the streets of Bloemfontein and work closely with other government stakeholders to assist with synchronising their needs to provide vast and integrated services. The programme will use data collection to enhance future policy intervention,” Nqabeni said.

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