Homelessness is a known global phenomenon which affects approximately 150 million people around the world. It affects children, women and men of all races and ages in developed and developing countries. Over the last two decades, the number of homeless persons in South Africa increased substantially from 13 135 in 1996 to 55 719 in 2022. This is
according to A Profile of Homeless Persons in South Africa, 2022, a recent report published by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) on 26 February 2025. Adults (45%) and the youth (44%) make up the majority of homeless persons in South Africa. As humans, we are conditioned to believe that the homeless are living on the streets or in shelters as a result of their bad choices however, that is not always the case. There are many different reasons why people end up homeless. According to the report, the leading cause for homelessness is unemployment, but in the context of the youth, reasons relating to family such as divorce, arguments with family, domestic violence, neglect, etc. were the main reasons. For those reasons, people flee from their home situations in search of a better, safer or more peaceful life. However, what they are often met with on the streets is far worse than what they envisioned. The homeless are often exposed to other forms of violence and abuse, human trafficking, drug abuse, exploitation and exclusion from access to basic services and other rights (education and healthcare). This makes them vulnerable and dependent on life on the streets but with effective interventions from communities, private sectors and government we can help get them off the streets.  This month’s feature article is based on the Census 2022 Provincial Profile: Northern Cape (Report No. 03-01-72), published by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) on 27 June 2024. Look out for our monthly crossword puzzle and  the solutions for February 2025. Articles published in this issue are based on results of industry surveys conducted for December 2024 and January 2025.
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