More than 15% of the global population is vulnerable to multidimensional deprivation including inadequate living conditions, insufficient resources, and poor health and wellbeing. In 2023, it was estimated that about 18.2 million South Africans lived in extreme poverty. Statistics South Africa recorded a total of 55 719 homeless persons in the country in February 2022, and they are regarded as among the most vulnerable to extreme poverty.
The Department of Social Development commissioned the Human Sciences Research Council to develop a green paper on homelessness in South Africa. Recognising the importance of gaining various perspectives, we are inviting stakeholders who are invested in the lives of homeless people to participate in a national community of practice (CoP).
The CoP aims to bring together government representatives, civil society, social support, researchers, academics, and importantly, persons with lived experience of homelessness from across South Africa. CoP members will have the opportunity to share their thoughts and experiences on issues pertaining to homelessness and codevelop key directives for the green paper.
CoP activities will take place between March and April 2024, and will include in-person workshops in Cape Town, Pretoria and Durban respectively. To capture the input of those who are unable to attend in-person, additional interactive virtual workshops will be held, following the same outline as the in-person workshops. The second CoP will be held in Boksburg on 22 April 2024 and the third CoP will be in Durbanville on 25 April 2024. Please click on the link below to register for these events. You may also register on the day.
We hope that you will consider being part of this work and in this way contribute to alleviating poverty and inequality in South Africa. Ethical clearance for this work has been obtained from the Human Sciences Research Council (REC 1/31/01/24).
City: Johannesburg
Date: 22 April 2024
Time: 9:00 – 13:00
Venue: Afrique Boutique Hotel OR Tambo,
20 Asquith Rd, Ravenswood,
Boksburg, 1459
City: Cape Town
Date: 25 April 2024
Time: 8.30am – 3pm
Venue: First Floor, Durbanville Town Centre, Durbanville, Cape Town
Registration: To register, please click here.
For more information, please contact Lindelwa Bhembe at lbhembe@hsrc.ac.za or Dr Candice Groenewald at cgroenewald@hsrc.ac.za
