​On Monday, 28 July 2025, the Gauteng Department of Social Development, together with various non-profit organizations, conducted a joint reality tour to the hotspot of homeless individuals around Johannesburg’s inner city. The reality tour aimed to interact with people living on the streets, seeking to understand their plight while mobilizing resources to help them find shelters, raise awareness, and offer support, guidance, and referrals to other services.
According to the Social Work Manager, Matodzi Maseko, their intention is to provide essential services, foster dignity, and facilitate reintegration into society. This includes connecting people with shelters, offering support services like counseling and skills development, and creating pathways to stable housing and employment.

This outreach effort is meant to actively engage with individuals experiencing homelessness, building trust and rapport through empathetic listening and respectful communication. Where possible, we admit them,” Maseko said.

She added that for those struggling with substance abuse or other issues, rehabilitation programs are essential for recovery, and they link them with rehabilitation centers.

During the tour and interactions with people living on the streets of Johannesburg, mainly at the End Street Park hotspot, the officials managed to convince about five homeless individuals to voluntarily register for admission to shelters, and they were immediately assessed and taken to Wembley Stadium Shelter for the homeless.

One of the people living on the street is Zolani Jantjie (31) from KwaZulu-Natal province, who came to Johannesburg in 2021 for better opportunities; however, he ended up on the street due to substance abuse. Jantjie said that when he arrived in Johannesburg, he was full of dreams.

“I was so energetic when I arrived here; I even worked as a petrol attendant, and then I started abusing alcohol,” he said. Unfortunately, Jantjie lost his job and began using drugs. He noted that’s when he messed up his life even further and ended up on the streets. He pleaded with social workers during the tour to help him reclaim his life.

“I am grateful that today I won’t sleep on the streets, and I thank you for coming to save our lives. I always wanted to quit this life of sleeping on the streets and living with drugs,” Jantjie added upon their arrival at Wembley Stadium Shelter.

Another young homeless individual, Thato Letsoalo (20), from Limpopo, said he appreciated the help of being removed from the street. Letsoalo explained that he had been kicked out of his home by his mother due to his mischievous behavior. “I have been kicked out of my home, and I did not have anywhere to go, so I just met guys who slept on the street and joined them,” he said.

He added that his behavior was also problematic at school, where he was kicked out. “I don’t know what my problems are, but I can’t continue living on the streets. It is tough out there, especially during the night. I really need help,” he concluded.