Ubuntu in the Suburbs for Solly…the Homeless Man who enjoys a Cuppa…

A photo of a homeless man who wanders the streets of Johannesburg with his mega-decorated shopping trolley has gone viral and been shared by over 3,000 Facebook users from South Africa and the USA to the UK and Australia.

Gauteng mom and sales executive, Valerie Kennedy, took the photo last month and posted it on her facebook page on 29 July, along with this message:

“This is Solly. He has been living on the streets of Johannesburg all his life…

“He has never had a job. He doesn’t know how old he is…I think maybe 75.

“I took this photo of Solly with ALL HIS WORLDLY GOODS – a shopping trolley decorated with CDs, old toys, Christmas decorations etc – all found in rubbish bins over the years.

“Inside the trolley are his blankets. He told me his previous trolley was stolen whilst he was sleeping some years back, so he started decorating his ‘mobile home’ all over again.

“He moves around the Rosebank, Saxonwold, Parkview areas. His favourite drink is tea which he gets from various homes – people who make him a sandwich and tea when they see him passing.

“I told him I would put his picture somewhere where the world could see him!! He beamed from ear to ear. Bless this dear, sweet man and let’s circulate his story and picture.

“I was touched and sad speaking to him…as I drove away he waved until I turned the corner with the biggest smile on his face…”

Many others from Gauteng recognised Solly when they saw the photo, with some remarking on his “imagination and talent”.

Amanda Mileson said “I see Solly regularly on my way home from work. Used to make him sarmies when I lived in the area. He is a sweet old man and loves it when people take photos of him & his trolley.”

Marcelle Batista added “I see this guy often here in Rosebank with all his CDs shining on his mobile house…and he looks happy living this way!!”

Karen Grieve-Grassow Collins revealed that there’s a similar homeless man in Weltevreden. She said “I think we have a ‘Solly’ in Welties.He lives by the river and his name is Smoky Joe.

“The local community also feed and clothe him. The Spar seems to allow him to sleep on their premises at night during winter and the car guards watch over him.

“He used to collect chains but I see they are gone now.Perhaps he has a form of schizophrenia but I am heartened to see this little shred of ubuntu shining through! He would not survive an institution.”

Neill Garvie also sees Solly often around Saxonwold.

“He definitely has become quite a celeb,” said Neill. “I am glad nobody harasses him because he is such a harmless old soul.”