Experience a night on the streets: Help combat homelessness in South Africa
U-turn CEO Jean-Ray Knighton Fitt urges South Africans to give up the comfort of their beds for one night, saying it’s a powerful step toward helping someone begin their journey off the streets.
Image: supplied
As winter creeps in and temperatures begin to drop, U-turn Homeless Ministries is challenging South Africans to embrace discomfort for a night, so others don’t have to live in it daily.
The organisation launched a national campaign, “A Night on the Streets,” aiming to raise R1 million in support of safe space accommodation and long-term solutions to homelessness.
“A Night on the Streets is a chance for ordinary South Africans to do something extraordinary,” said U-turn CEO Jean-Ray Knighton Fitt.
In partnership with BMW Constantia, a group of 30 individuals, comprising of BMW staff, clients, U-turn board members, and supporters, will spend a night on the pavement along Claremont Main Road to raise funds and awareness for people experiencing homelessness.
The public is also invited to participate by sleeping outside on Saturday night, in gardens, on balconies, church grounds, or school fields.
The symbolic act is designed to demonstrate solidarity with over 30 000 homeless individuals in Cape Town and Johannesburg.
“By giving up the comfort of your bed for one night, you’ll be helping someone else take the first step toward lasting change,” said Fitt.
This is not just a fundraising campaign; it’s a powerful call to action.
The initiative seeks to dismantle myths around homelessness and highlight its real causes, trauma, addiction, poverty, and systemic failure.
U-turn’s holistic rehabilitation programme offers more than just shelter. It includes basic needs provision, substance abuse recovery, life-skills training, work readiness, and long-term reintegration support.
Every Rand raised contributes directly to transforming lives.
“By participating, you will learn something about yourself and people experiencing homelessness that you cannot read in a textbook,” said U-turn’s communications manager Stephen Underwood.
“Your one night on the streets will contribute to more than 13 000 nights OFF the streets for 300 individuals next year.”
Cape Times