THE FUSE

For many, the ‘path to life on the street’ isn’t paved with bad choices, but simply with a rent increase that outpaced a paycheck. Yet still, they carry the stubborn courage to get back up every day.

Cape Town, South Africa (13 February 2026) – Though they are often judged before anyone takes a moment to hear their story, many of those who find themselves without the warmth of a home aren’t in that position by choice but rather by circumstance – often too heavy and too big to bear.

Homelessness doesn’t usually begin with addiction or “bad choices.” This is according to Phinius Sebatsane, Founder of Rea Thusana Foundation, who works to help uplift those who experience this largely misunderstood misfortune.

“It often begins with a rent increase. It begins with a contract that isn’t renewed. A job that ends. A medical emergency. A family breakdown. And suddenly, your address becomes a pavement,” Phinius says.

In a recent Facebook post, he invited individuals to consider the perspective that people living on the street are not just surviving; but that many are rebuilding.

He shared that in Cape Town, especially in places like Muizenberg, Kalk Bay, Woodstock and Observatory – neighbourhoods once accessible to working people have seen a high rise in rent, while wages remain the same.

In the worst case, this comes down to one simple yet heartbreaking sentence: ‘I ended up on the street because I couldn’t pay rent anymore in Muizenberg.’

“Tourism, short-term rentals, and property speculation have reshaped communities. For many, one missed paycheck is the difference between stability and the street.”

Many, however, haven’t completely given up. They wake up every day and keep going.

Phinius captures this resilience best:

“There is resilience in the way someone wakes up at 5 am to wash at a public tap before going to look for work. There is dignity in sweeping the pavement outside the shop that allows you to sit nearby. There is joy in shared laughter over a small meal. There is community in the way people look out for each other’s blankets at night.”

He adds that ‘getting back up’ can be as simple as getting an ID replaced, showing up to a job interview without a permanent address, or even saving R20 at a time.

And there is always something to admire about a person who is brave enough to start again, hustle, form a small business and refuse to lose hope in a hopeless situation. That stubborn courage to get back up is no small act, but instead offers some real food for thought.

Sources: Phinius Sebatsane

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