Some homeless people criticise Gauteng govt's mobile shower campaign
The operation, titled "Nasi iShower", will see homeless people from across the province gathering at the stadium to utilise the basic hygiene service.
FILE: A homeless person sleeping on a bench. Picture: Chaivit Chana / 123rf
JOHANNESBURG - While the city battles an ongoing water crisis, some homeless people living on the streets of Johannesburg have criticised a mobile shower campaign by the Gauteng government.
In a poster issued on Tuesday afternoon, Gauteng MEC for Social Development Mbali Hlophe announced her intention to launch a homeless mobile wash service on Wednesday morning at the Wembley Stadium.
The operation, titled "Nasi iShower", will see homeless people from across the province gathering at the stadium to utilise the basic hygiene service.
Homeless people without food, clothes or security are set to gain access to a warm shower via this new service.
"Nasi iShower" is the latest initiative by the provincial government on the back of the similarly titled Nasi Ispani campaign, which has seen over 6,000 unemployed youths get jobs.
This one aims to bring dignity to the city's homeless by providing them with daily access to exercise personal hygiene.
Begging on a bridge above Rivonia Road on the richest square mile in Africa, some homeless men, who chose to remain anonymous, have criticised the move.
"Untidy? What do they mean? I want them to be very specific," one of the men said.
“I am not partaking. I don’t want to be robbed," another said.
A third man added that he was insulted by the disregard for his human rights and would not make use of a group shower.