Every time a child beggar receives a cash palm his life on the street is sustained – he will return the next day.
With an increasing number of child beggars on many street corners in the busy Okavango Road and a greater number expected with the festive season, a call has gone out to not give money to these children.
According to Phineas Maukwendlu from the City of Cape Town’s social development department there are currently about 15 minor children begging on several corners of this street, a hotspot for child begging.
Maukwendly says these children are not homeless with the majority of them living in Wallacedene, but some coming as far as Delft every day to beg.
“They are from very poor areas, where they have nothing at home. We are not sure whether they are sent by their parents or if they beg on their own accord, but we have seen many of them sniffing glue, an addiction sustained by begging.”
He says the department receives continuous complaints but is struggling to get these children off the streets because of the hand-outs they get.
“They would not come back if they did not receive money. We need the public to become aware of this and to stop giving. It needs to be a joined effort,” he told TygerBurger.
Faining their trust
Social worker Chaney Booysen from Badisa’s street child project in Scottsdene says these children all range between the ages of 9 and 15.
In working with them, social workers have to gain their trust to get vital background information.
“We have to talk to the children and build a trust relationship with them to find out where they are from and why they are there. Unfortunately they don’t easily give up their names or addresses. Most of the children here are what we call day strollers, travelling from place to place to beg.
“We once found a pair of siblings who came from Delft, telling us Brackenfell is a good place to beg where people give a lot. Others take the train from Kraaifontein to go beg in Seapoint,” she says.
Booysen says there is no clear solution for the problem as the circumstances differ from child to child.
“Some of the children beg for money to buy drugs, while others beg to buy food because there is nothing at home.
“One child told us that his mommy was in Pollsmoor and his granny was too old to work. Another said he begs because his friends do it. In most cases the fathers are absent.
“In some cases we have also found that there is an adult standing somewhere nearby instructing the children to beg,” she says.
In cases where abuse or neglect is suspected and the child’s address is available, the police assist Badisa. A form 22 is then issued whereby a child can be removed from his home. In such cases a social worker has to investigate to assess the child’s circumstances within a 24 to 48 hour period.
According to Booysen most of these kids dropped out of school as making money motivates them to “work” on the street.
She agrees with Maukwendly and also urges the public to not give the children money.
“If you want to give them something, rather give them food as you cannot be sure how they will use the money. The situation remains a concern and we do not want to see our children on the streets.”
To report child beggars members of the public can contact Badisa’s Street Child Project at 081 473 2821.
