DRESSED FOR THE OCCASION by: Nkosinathi Msimango

 

 

It’s a dark and cold morning but there’s this aura of hope and optimism.

When approaching the Newtown fields, near the Sci-bono and Bassline building, all you could see was the red and black of the Yfm banners and backdrops. All I remember thinking was, “I can now say, on the 6^th of June 2015, I was at the Dress Jozi Walk” (which happens every first Saturday of June)

As we arrive nervous, as this is our first time here, we are greeted and welcomed by a diminutive and friendly figure that makes us feel at ease and at home. This hospitable figure is an integral member of the youth based Ydidi organization that deals with uplifting the youth, Neo Rantele Kuaho.

As more people arrive, the atmosphere became electric and I just couldn’t wait but begin this journey of giving to the less fortunate. I could feel that I was going to make a difference in someone’s life today.

As we embarked on the journey around Newtown to the Westgate taxi rank to help the less fortunate, there was this Great Spirit from the participants in the walk, singing, laughing and helping each other during the walk while being escorted by the police. I witnessed some of the most heart-wrenching sights I had ever seen. I came across welcoming human beings that most of us regard as “hobos”. They were so thankful for the clothes and blankets. It felt so fulfilling to put a smile on a person’s face. To see men old enough to be my father run towards us to receive clothing and blankets melted my heart on a cold winter’s day.

I was touched to see everyone interact with the less fortunate and homeless, and treat them like human beings instead of the usual disrespectful treatment that our fellow brothers and sisters receive.

The one incident that brought tears to my eyes was when we arrived at an old burnt out house that houses many homeless and less fortunate people. Upon arriving there, I found a young girl who was draped in nothing but an old jacket that her mother had put on her. This made me feel like an ungrateful person as I had been complaining to my friends that I had no clothes and needed to purchase clothes for winter. The mother was so grateful and I couldn’t help but smile throughout the rest of the walk.

As much as I was tired, I couldn’t help but be satisfied with what we had done to help others.

I recommend this to everyone out there, because many homeless and less fortunate people out there need this help and if we could help so many people in the radius of 12km, then how many people can we help if everyone decides to join in?

*A special thanks goes to Ydidi and Yfm for the opportunity*