Former “street kid” and founder of Centurion Haven of Hope, Tebogo Mpufane is helping homeless people in Pretoria. His NGO provides a temporary residence, safe shelter, and support services for homeless individuals and families.
Mpufane received a prize from the Spar challenge, which will help cater to the needs of the homeless people who are based around the Lyttelton Community Centre. He could not reveal the actual shape and size of the prize. However, he said the competition was a great morale booster for them.
“It was really a shot in the dark. I received a call from a radio station asking me to talk about our needs and challenges. And so, I spoke from the heart. And a couple of days later when I was in a taxi, I received the good news that we had won,” said Mpufane.
On the other hand, the NGO celebrated the homelessness policy has been passed by the City of Tshwane. The policy aims fight poverty, build clean, healthy, safe and sustainable communities.
The prize was not awarded in the form of money but included best quality food in abundance, dignity bags and other cleaning products. “For anyone who has not lived on the streets that might not sound like winning, but for homeless people a toothbrush and just one meal is a goldmine,” said Mpufane.
He also encouraged others to initiate similar projects and programmes, which will assist the poverty-stricken. Mpufane believes nothing is stronger than a united community and it is clear that he is a strong leader who will have the ideal morals and values set in the right places.
Mpufane’s goal is to give the homeless an opportunity to better their lives and make something of themselves. “I’m a firm believer that everyone deserves a second chance or maybe even a third or fourth chance,” he concluded.
