PHOTOS Durban Businesses Deliver Food Parcels to Homeless in Lockdown

A Durban organisation has made sure that a group of homeless people do not go hungry… at a time when  their suffering has been intensified by lockdown conditions in South Africa, reports filmmaker and photographer Kierran Allen.

The Umbilo Business Forum (UBF), a voluntary membership and non-profit organization, delivered the first load of food – 60kg per pack – this week at the Dalton and beer hall on Sydney Road.

“Well done to the team involved – Ian Cambell-Gillies, Steve Thusi, Kelvin Caldwell, Leonie Kriek and Lunghisa Khumalo,” says Kierran, who was there to document the delivery.

“It’s so refreshing to see people like you doing what not many are. At least the people you helped today will have food to get by over the next week.”

The homeless are under attack in this dark time, says Kierran. “Not only are they at far higher risk of contracting Coronavirus but they have been thrown together by the state and confined in small spaces without any sanitation, basic amenities or any form of aid.”

Fortunately there are organisations like Umbilo Business Forum that are making sure that these people who usually “walk through our communities unseen” and stand starving at robots, begging for blankets to keep them warm at night, are being seen right now.

Economies only work and thrive when they work for everyone, says Kierran.

“The UBF consists of many enlightened businesses who are willing and able to produce a surplus which can then be redistributed in form of food parcels for people in the community. Concrete consumable goods on a sustainable basis and not empty promises from regressive minds,” he explains.

With the lockdown in South Africa extended last night to the end of April, Kierran has been venturing out to shed light on the truth of what is going on during this period.

With poverty being one of the main issues he sees in SA, Kierran urges community leaders and South Africans in general  to contribute to the upliftment and support for the disadvantaged.

“If everyone who could had to just help one person, the impact would really move mountains in the fight to eradicate poverty.

“In this lockdown how do you ask homeless people to “self isolate” or stay indoors? Is rounding them up and confining them in a small space acceptable? How does a family of four stay in a 4x4m shack for 21 days? How?!

“And still I see people complaining about not being able to order a pizza, the lines at Woolies and the shutting down of the sale of alcohol and cigarettes. Guys, there are way bigger issues that need to be addressed; working together, different communities – in my eyes – should be banding together to ease the load of our already fragile infrastructure. Wouldn’t that really flatten the curve!?”

Kierran says: “The images below don’t do any of this justice; over the next few days I will release a video telling the stories of a few individuals in the community and just how bad things really are!

“The truth is a beautiful thing and I will continue to shed light on real issues!

“Do Something For Someone Who Can Never Repay You!”