Homes needed urgently for 18

Gallery Video

MOSSEL BAY NEWS AND VIDEO - The once homeless people who are being accommodated at the Shark Shack backpackers' establishment in Marsh Street, Mossel Bay, are creating figurines from recycled items to be sold to make money to support themselves.

Johann Binneman, the manager of the Shark Shack, is concerned about what will happen to the 17 men and one woman when the lockdown ends. "We have to find somewhere for them to stay," he stressed.

"They need to continue on the right track and keep improving themselves."

Johann says many of those who arrived at the beginning of the lockdown were not in a good physical state or frame of mind, but he had seen a tremendous improvement in them as the weeks passed.

Photo gallery: Homes needed urgently

At the start of the lockdown there were 38 people accommodated at Bay Vista in Montagu Street and the Shark Shack. This was done as an emergency measure and organised by a Mossel Bay businessman, who owns the two buildings. Now there are 18 of the 38 left and they are all at the Shark Shack.

Johann says of the 38, some went back to living on the street and seven of them were reunited with their families.

When business goes back to normal after the lockdown ends and backpackers converge on the Shark Shack again, the 18 will no longer be able to remain at the Shark Shack.

Watch a video below:

Assisted in many ways
Johann has assisted the group in many ways. He has appealed for and received donations for the group and has started a creative project for them to make the figurines by recycling rubbish.

One of the men had a stroke while staying at the Shark Shack and Johann ensured he was taken to receive all the necessary medical attention and brought back to the Shark Shack.

Johann says he has used his own money to help the group too. Meals on Wheels, based in George, also assisted. The Mossel Bay Municipality has helped by providing free electricity.

Some of the group have received new clothes and Johann pointed out that if they go back to the street, their clothes will be stolen. He would like to see them employed and bettering their lives.

"If you get a job, you can't be living on the street," he says.

He points out that the Haven Night Shelter in Mossel Bay is full and cannot accommodate any more people.

Johann is arranging a meeting with the municipality as soon as possible to try to organise long term accommodation for the group. If anyone would like to assist, call Johann (079 806 3879).

He plans to help the group to sell their figurines to buyers or on an auction so money can be put into a kitty for their food and necessities.

Art in the making. The men at the Shark Shack are creating items to sell to support themselves.