#03 Homeless in Cape Town: Meet Aaron 

I was homeless in CPT for 3 years. I'm 14 years off the streets now and doing well. With no help from anybody

I was so close to being homeless, it was a scary moment in my life and I do not wish it on anyone!

We have a moral obligation to create opportunities for people in need. Work, not handouts. It's time to remove the ANC from government before this becomes the norm.

Story is a bit all over the place, but I'm glad he has a good mindset and looking to make his life better.

As a former homeless person, I often take the opportunity to speak to homeless individuals...a lot of the time they are in "hustle" or "skarrel" mode...and it takes a good while and a lot of probing questions before you start to get the truth out of them...I find that sharing my personal homelessness experience with them helps to cross that "defensive" and "bullshit " barrier a lot faster....you also need to be quite firm with them...and you have to call them out on their bullshit...not in a nasty way bit simply by asking relevant questions and by questioning inconsistencies in their stories....I was talking to a homeless guy a few weeks back and this is some of what he told me..(1) he wasn't really homeless, he was an undercover journalist on assignment...and could I spare him R70 so he could replace his bank card that was stolen....(2) he told me his full name...his surname sounded French...and he told me he is actually of royal descent....it was all bullshit of course, and you HAVE to be able to call them out on it...otherwise all they will do is see you as an opportunity for a handout...

More to this than meets the eye😮

“So what happened was…” nope

We are not hearing the full story here! If I were him I'd be visiting every garage in Cape Town with my CV - those are the questions that you should be asking. What have you done, what are you doing, to get out of this? I, for one, would be willing to fund job searches for deserving homeless people who are really putting in the effort to find work!

If you are a person that had an education (specialized motor mechanic!!!) and a job, you dont land on the street accidently, its a series of bad decisions (with alcohol or drugs involved usually)that led to homelessness. Im sure there is some bad luck and misfortune involved... but the fact that the family doesn't want you in their house, no friends want to help shows that you are the problem... friends and family probably already tried to help. Also they dont just take kids away, there is a whole process! if your child was taken away there was repeated instances of child neglect and/or abuse. It takes alot for children to be taken away. The problem with interviews with homeless people is that they are always in survival mode and they know how to hustle and spin stories. I read an interesting article written by a previous homesless person and they explain how hard and dangerous it is to survive on the street in cape town, you fight for territory and a place to sleep. ppl that live on the street are quite hardened by the environment- you cannot try to understand them from your cozy easy life. Notice how one thing after the next in this guy's story is about how bad stuff happened to them but they had no part in it and the story is eratic and all over the place, thats the first sign he is probably an addict unfortunately. There are places these guys can go if they really want help and get back on track, many places of safety for women ( and no they dont kick out the women and take the baby!! ) This guy is talking so much BS. My sister lived in wineberg and there was a homeless couple in front of their house most of the time (it was "their" street) and i used to speak to them often, they also had two children (that they gave to her parents), and they used tik- thats why they were there on the street. I sincerely hope this guy and his wife can get sober and get their life back on track.

Why make children when you're homeless and going through hell?

Having been homeless myself (2010 to 2014), I can tell this guy isn't telling the whole truth...he is not taking responsibility for any of its actions...it all about "what happened to me"...and not about any decisions he made that contributed to his state of affairs...like, why didn't his wife's folks want to help...? Homelessness is due to 3 factors...and only 3 factors...(1) alcoholism, (2) drugs or (3) mental health issues of one kind or another....if friends and family don't want to help it's cos you've burned bridges....the only way out of Homelessness is, like with AA and NA, to take responsibility for your part in being homeless...it is not an easy life and it's certainly not easy to get out of...but it can be done

I was close to being homeless.its a hard life and even harder when there is a wife and children.i hope God looks after this family.and its true what he said, people do look down on you when you are poor.atleast it brings out peoples true colours in front of you

Help is on its way to you. You are strong . Beleive, Beleif, and Faith. Cape Townians are so Helpful. 🤲🏻🤲🏻🤲🏻🤲🏻🤲🏻♥️‼️🇿🇦 Build within. ❤❤🌿

If your parents don't want to help you..... It speaks volumes. Why another baby if times are hard.?

There is more to this story, they may not be on drungs but, im picking up on alchole abuse, I may be wrong, but noticed how he said they dont do drungs but no mention of alcohol. I hope he can get a job and get thier lives right, but if there is an achole promblem that needs to be sorted first. What about the sisters of mercy, they take in single mothers. Maybe good if she gets into a place of shalter while he gets on his feet. But if they are drinkers it could be why the chil was taken away, and why family wont help.

I dont understand how people can judge so harshly. I had a cousin who was homeless and yes she was on drugs and was treated like less than human because of it , but truth be told, by the time she was 12 years old, both her parents had died and there is no bigger trauma.. be thankful you not where they .. privilege is often disguised as moral superiority

I feel very sorry for this guy. I hope I never reach this point. I hope I don't loose my house.

Why make a baby when u are on the street go for family planning

Social workers take this guys son but the allow Chevonne Rusch to die at the hands of her mums partner??? WTF?? No logic in SA. My ex husband Bruce Rayson died homeless in Sea Point, when I watch this, i think of him.

There is always i wanted ask south Africa how can the whole country be homeless and we the people of south Africa and there is only one solution drop the bonds and rents of houses and let the people live otherwise the people we all going live on the road with our animals in the country and furniture and cars and lives so please think of what is been said its not a joke its a serious thing has life is not a joke its a battle 😮😮😮

Is he truly homeless? His beard and hairs so woes, yet his arms and neck is clean clean shaven... And wearing puma... But still, we all human and need to respect... ✌️

You cannot trust the South African justice system. Social services regarding children especially. Drug addicts have more previlages than the struggles of those who aren't. Our court system is pathetic and also does not provide justice for those able to afford a an opportunity to take your matter to court. The system fails everyone. Yes, your own family can fail you too! He's correct. The only way is to hustle your way to justice for yourself by yourself to make it. Bless us all

Nature is the only thing they have to make them happy

Go to Mowbray do something about that sacks there it’s not fair they put that homeless people out on the streets .but they can’t put that people out that build sacks next to the main road it’s not right

It's so true what he is saying. You just don't know ehat everyone's story is. We tend to perceive and classify with preconceived stereotype mentality

Cape Town is the place to be man! It's also the safest city in SA so you have to be there....

Life's lesson. Rely on yourself.

He needs to focus on the solution not the problems.

I would like to hear from his family. His not telling the truth

Ive stayed in shelters in cape town each shelter has its own social worker. Its really easy to get in especially if you pay R300 or so upfront for the first month. They might give you the run around but if you persist you will get in. I dont buy this story he is probably doing drugs and the truth is most people on the street do drugs. This guy looks too clean for the street life even if he supposedly is on the street in a rich area.

How could they be pregnant when they can't even afford one 🤦‍♀️

looks like the SA version of Soft White Underbelly

Yeah it sounds sketchy ....

Hi .. it seems that the Love if the family is there and I say God's Love drives out all fear. Get to a nearest Spiritful church... Surely There is help.. remember , God's Word is Yes And Amen... In prayer humbly🙌🙌I know you will be helped..God says Come!! I will give you rest... So give it unto God and All else will be Added ..❤❤❤

Has this gentleman been helped. This is bullshit he needs to know the Truth of the Law. Please let me know I can help

Seems like a good dude, unfortunately you can’t trust anybody’s word on anything these days tho. Hope he is truthful and gets work but yeah the whole my phone, wallet , Id and everything got stolen story and both parents won’t help , and endless weird stories and even moving to another completely different city jobless and homeless with No identity, bank cards or phones with a baby and another one on the way , too many red flags here , even you can test me for drugs , “ I did a test recently” part was heavvvy suspicious but yeah hope it’s the truth but like he even says , you cant trust anybody these days Hope you find yourself man , be safe

Sorry. Ppl are heartless and mean. Selfish and unkind. I hv met absolutely wicked ppl who are just a pose in prayer

How can I help

A million excuses as a true victim of his own actions but nothing of him taking accountability.. I wish you well but with that mindset I have my reservations.

The God I serve is Alive and He created the heavens and the earth.....God will surely bless Aaron if he Receives Him Jesus), as personal Lord and Saviour🙏. God will walk him thru he's test and trials..... Don't give up..we not to judge anyone, but pray and watch.Amen

I feel for this guy is there any update on him and his family?

Can i get in contact with this guy,i have a scooter that needs to be fixed.

Please no more babies this is a problem for the poor kids.....please sort this out....

He looking clean his nails 😂

Put your trust in God.. not man

Baby should be on birth control period! I don't know why they bring children into the world to suffer,that's something I hate!

Things are tough in SA

Where can i find aaron

I know 3 homeless people, and they are homeless due to drug uses and theft, fraud. And familiy has given up.

Pity we can't see pic of wife....

One sided stories don't paint a picture.

Oh please you say you have 1 drink. Clearly evident that you are not sober guy. Would love to help you but the fact that you have gone ahead and made your wife pregnant "AGAIN" means sorry for you bro

Seems like an addict to me, just saying

Does anybody know what happened to this couple

I thought Cape Town’s better???😢😮

Stop having babies guys.

Ye no more babies 😂

Shame, I have seen this guy

That's his side of the story. There are 3 sides to every story, His, theirs and the truth.....

The audacity to fall pregnant again 🙄🙄

He looks like a trust fund kid from CT. Dresses the same

Shady

Can they please stop having babies. Specially a year apart 🫨 there’s more to this story.

I'm 40 make good money been with my wife for 10 years and have 0 kids because shit is expensive,how the fak do you be that irresponsible? I'm sorry but this is just asinine. All I here is excuses and passing the buck.

its a shame to see this DA

He doesn't tell the truth. There must be something else. He talks too much,small talker

Excuses excuses.

How on earth can your own family turn you away

Jhb is crime ridden

Was hoping to see that he had had some luck

drugs