#03 Homeless in Cape Town: Meet Aaron
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 ธ.ค. 2024
- Here we speak with Aaron Engelbrecht who is a motorcycle mechanic originally from Johannesburg. He currently spends most of his time in front of the Engen Garage in Main Road Sea Point. Him and his wife recently had their baby taken away by social services and his wife is currently 7 months pregnant with their second child. They sleep on Milton Beach in Sea Point. They are not looking for hand outs, Aaron is looking for a job so that he can get the life of him and his family back on track.
I was homeless in CPT for 3 years. I'm 14 years off the streets now and doing well. With no help from anybody
That is so interesting to hear, thank you for the comment! 🙏 How were you able to get off the streets? Many blessings to you 💕
🎉❤fantastic🌿🤲🏻♥️‼️
Well done bru
Big ups, would like to hear your story
Well done
Story is a bit all over the place, but I'm glad he has a good mindset and looking to make his life better.
100% .... All over the place, you can hear how wise the interviewer is too, that some of the time she just 'Ja's' his story lol
I was so close to being homeless, it was a scary moment in my life and I do not wish it on anyone!
That is so scary, thank you for sharing! 🙏💚 How were you able to avoid it?
We have a moral obligation to create opportunities for people in need. Work, not handouts. It's time to remove the ANC from government before this becomes the norm.
Created by the previous goverment ANC failed to fix
@@mikevigus You spewing a load of green shyt....ANC is the creator of all POVERTY in South Africa...fattening and lining their own pockets.
What do you mean ANC, it is you who hire immigrants for less pay duh.
The whole Western World have Social Welfare plans in place. Which WORK to allow people to be fed/survive. Rather than having to resort to crime to survive. SA's own grant system is certainly not generous. If you'd like to create a business and jobs for homeless people to get them off the streets by all means. But if not then allowing people basic survival by grants is a good thing.
I have such utmost respect for you. There but for the grace of grace go all of us. Keep your head up high
As a former homeless person, I often take the opportunity to speak to homeless individuals...a lot of the time they are in "hustle" or "skarrel" mode...and it takes a good while and a lot of probing questions before you start to get the truth out of them...I find that sharing my personal homelessness experience with them helps to cross that "defensive" and "bullshit " barrier a lot faster....you also need to be quite firm with them...and you have to call them out on their bullshit...not in a nasty way bit simply by asking relevant questions and by questioning inconsistencies in their stories....I was talking to a homeless guy a few weeks back and this is some of what he told me..(1) he wasn't really homeless, he was an undercover journalist on assignment...and could I spare him R70 so he could replace his bank card that was stolen....(2) he told me his full name...his surname sounded French...and he told me he is actually of royal descent....it was all bullshit of course, and you HAVE to be able to call them out on it...otherwise all they will do is see you as an opportunity for a handout...
Interesting..thank you for the comment! 🙏
He's 100% correct about this..... I'm glad that you see through it Mike.
I was close to being homeless.its a hard life and even harder when there is a wife and children.i hope God looks after this family.and its true what he said, people do look down on you when you are poor.atleast it brings out peoples true colours in front of you
That is really good point. Thank you for the comment 😊 🙏
More to this than meets the eye😮
Agreed 👍
Agree!
If you have walked in his/her shoes you earn the right to comment. I hope they survive this rat-race & can forgive those who turned their backs on them.
Also sounds like he might just have gotten himself here ... cant always blame families.. Some families can only go on for so long with their addict family members... I thank God my sibling is free and clean, and never made it this far... but had she carried on.... this is where she would be because of the constant abuse we received...
Whatever they need help!!
“So what happened was…”
nope
Having been homeless myself (2010 to 2014), I can tell this guy isn't telling the whole truth...he is not taking responsibility for any of its actions...it all about "what happened to me"...and not about any decisions he made that contributed to his state of affairs...like, why didn't his wife's folks want to help...? Homelessness is due to 3 factors...and only 3 factors...(1) alcoholism, (2) drugs or (3) mental health issues of one kind or another....if friends and family don't want to help it's cos you've burned bridges....the only way out of Homelessness is, like with AA and NA, to take responsibility for your part in being homeless...it is not an easy life and it's certainly not easy to get out of...but it can be done
Boom! TruthBomb
You are quick to make that judgement but remember, there are no tests or qualifications for people to make babies. An evil or bad person can have children and then just abandon them. Would you consider that 'burning bridges'?
@@w0ngky uuuhhhmmmm....did u read the part where I mentioned I was also homeless before? Guess not...read to understand...not to reply...I speak from experience...not judgement
@@mikeparsons3748 lol ok dude.
Do you know what survivorship bias is?
'I speak from experience...not judgement' - your entire first comment is nothing but judgement on him lol
What if his telling the truth after a kick of reality sometimes people family friend can be cruel or don't want to get involved because we all just want to think about ourselves living with nothing and sleeping on the street is hectic imagine not knowing where to sleep in rain or heat I pray he get help and is safe
We are not hearing the full story here!
If I were him I'd be visiting every garage in Cape Town with my CV - those are the questions that you should be asking.
What have you done, what are you doing, to get out of this?
I, for one, would be willing to fund job searches for deserving homeless people who are really putting in the effort to find work!
Those are great questions 👍
exactly. do something to help you get yourself back on your feet. if you at rock bottom you only have one way to go which is up.
Be very careful of asking these questions to the wrong people as it may strike a chord... They may get defensive/aggressive.
Some People are hartless and greedy God will bless you
If you are a person that had an education (specialized motor mechanic!!!) and a job, you dont land on the street accidently, its a series of bad decisions (with alcohol or drugs involved usually)that led to homelessness. Im sure there is some bad luck and misfortune involved... but the fact that the family doesn't want you in their house, no friends want to help shows that you are the problem... friends and family probably already tried to help. Also they dont just take kids away, there is a whole process! if your child was taken away there was repeated instances of child neglect and/or abuse. It takes alot for children to be taken away. The problem with interviews with homeless people is that they are always in survival mode and they know how to hustle and spin stories. I read an interesting article written by a previous homesless person and they explain how hard and dangerous it is to survive on the street in cape town, you fight for territory and a place to sleep. ppl that live on the street are quite hardened by the environment- you cannot try to understand them from your cozy easy life. Notice how one thing after the next in this guy's story is about how bad stuff happened to them but they had no part in it and the story is eratic and all over the place, thats the first sign he is probably an addict unfortunately. There are places these guys can go if they really want help and get back on track, many places of safety for women ( and no they dont kick out the women and take the baby!! ) This guy is talking so much BS. My sister lived in wineberg and there was a homeless couple in front of their house most of the time (it was "their" street) and i used to speak to them often, they also had two children (that they gave to her parents), and they used tik- thats why they were there on the street. I sincerely hope this guy and his wife can get sober and get their life back on track.
I've read your opinion which is the general opinion that most ignorant people hold... My wife of 30 years has been wonderful to me through out our struggles and since I fell ill in 2009 we have been abandoned by family and friends judged by community members church people and their leaders, so we know that you are only worth something if you have something, I am and have been a very sick person physically and live out of my wheelchair with my 57 year old wife takes care of me without any help from these organizations that profess to help? We live in a small room and survive off my old age government pension and by God's grace, The doctors told my wife in 2012 to take me home and make me comfortable as there was nothing they could do for me and church members told my wife that her future was on the side of the road in the bushes and we don't drink alcohol or take drugs at all but we have been judged and persecuted by people that don't even know us? There is only one judge and that's God!!! So I guess I will just move on and keep it all to myself again, I just want to point out out that no one is beyond this position of desolation including you 😢...
So judgemental
Help is on its way to you. You are strong . Beleive, Beleif, and Faith. Cape Townians are so Helpful. 🤲🏻🤲🏻🤲🏻🤲🏻🤲🏻♥️‼️🇿🇦 Build within. ❤❤🌿
If you had to offer a solution to the homelessness on Cape Town what would it be?
Thanks for these interviews, very insightful indeed.
It would be great if there was a follow up on the people you've interviewed. I know you mentioned nobody can find this guy in particular (which is quite worrying), but follow ups would be great.
PS you mentioned you know which hospital they were at, maybe they left a clue there as to where they might be🤔
Hi there thank you for the comment! Yes they were at New Somerset Hospital. Not sure if private information would be shared at hospitals though 😬 Have however recently posted a follow-up for Karen, and filmed a follow up for Lara last weekend and can hopefully catch up with Deon as well. Thank you again for the support and encouraging words 🙏 💙
I dont understand how people can judge so harshly. I had a cousin who was homeless and yes she was on drugs and was treated like less than human because of it , but truth be told, by the time she was 12 years old, both her parents had died and there is no bigger trauma.. be thankful you not where they .. privilege is often disguised as moral superiority
That is such a good point. Thank you for the comment. 👍
There is more to this story, they may not be on drungs but, im picking up on alchole abuse, I may be wrong, but noticed how he said they dont do drungs but no mention of alcohol. I hope he can get a job and get thier lives right, but if there is an achole promblem that needs to be sorted first. What about the sisters of mercy, they take in single mothers. Maybe good if she gets into a place of shalter while he gets on his feet. But if they are drinkers it could be why the chil was taken away, and why family wont help.
Social workers take this guys son but the allow Chevonne Rusch to die at the hands of her mums partner??? WTF?? No logic in SA. My ex husband Bruce Rayson died homeless in Sea Point, when I watch this, i think of him.
If your parents don't want to help you..... It speaks volumes.
Why another baby if times are hard.?
Most likely drugs. More reason not to keep having babies. Mind boggling.
What I’ve learnt about pregnancy, most of the time it’s unplanned
Shame on them bringing a baby into this world. It very easy to avoid pregnancy.
@@joannaburger2095 JA BUT: Sit hom in, daars huining in.
@@Kiljayden😂
Nature is the only thing they have to make them happy
You cannot trust the South African justice system. Social services regarding children especially. Drug addicts have more previlages than the struggles of those who aren't. Our court system is pathetic and also does not provide justice for those able to afford a an opportunity to take your matter to court. The system fails everyone. Yes, your own family can fail you too! He's correct. The only way is to hustle your way to justice for yourself by yourself to make it. Bless us all
There is always i wanted ask south Africa how can the whole country be homeless and we the people of south Africa and there is only one solution drop the bonds and rents of houses and let the people live otherwise the people we all going live on the road with our animals in the country and furniture and cars and lives so please think of what is been said its not a joke its a serious thing has life is not a joke its a battle 😮😮😮
I feel very sorry for this guy. I hope I never reach this point. I hope I don't loose my house.
It's so true what he is saying. You just don't know ehat everyone's story is. We tend to perceive and classify with preconceived stereotype mentality
Is he truly homeless? His beard and hairs so woes, yet his arms and neck is clean clean shaven... And wearing puma... But still, we all human and need to respect... ✌️
At the time of this interview they were homeless for a couple of months, I have recently heard that due to this video a member of the Sea Point community was able to organise a family shelter for them. People in the Sea Point area were donating clothes while they were on the streets. They were looking quite rough on this day. Think it's genes which accounts for the lack of hair on his neck and arms.
@@HomelessinCapeTown-tg5fd How are these two now? The baby?
Why worry about the puma sweater, he said ppl in sea point helps them. They could have donated it to him. Sickening to read all the judgements
Go to Mowbray do something about that sacks there it’s not fair they put that homeless people out on the streets .but they can’t put that people out that build sacks next to the main road it’s not right
Life's lesson. Rely on yourself.
How do you mean?
Why make a baby when u are on the street go for family planning
If you listen to the story they have only been homeless since end 2023.
Why make children when you're homeless and going through hell?
Real.
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤@@shaniceASMR7777
He needs to focus on the solution not the problems.
If you had to offer a solution to the homelessness on Cape Town what would it be?
I feel for this guy is there any update on him and his family?
Aaron's wife gave birth about a month ago at New Somerset Hospital, after that we kind of lost track as they dont have cell phones etc. Last I heard there was a family court hearing scheduled which will hopefully determine what is best for the two children.
@@HomelessinCapeTown-tg5fd
I wish him all of the best. ♥️
Did you ever get a clearer picture of why their first child was taken away?@@HomelessinCapeTown-tg5fd
Can i get in contact with this guy,i have a scooter that needs to be fixed.
Have sadly lost track of him..🥲 But thank you so much for the comment and offer. All of the best 😊
I would like to hear from his family. His not telling the truth
Hi .. it seems that the Love if the family is there and I say God's Love drives out all fear. Get to a nearest Spiritful church... Surely There is help.. remember , God's Word is Yes And Amen... In prayer humbly🙌🙌I know you will be helped..God says Come!! I will give you rest... So give it unto God and All else will be Added ..❤❤❤
Amen
Does anybody know what happened to this couple
No one knows unfortunately..
@@HomelessinCapeTown-tg5fd thank u
How can I help
I am not sure where Aaron and his wife are now, they never had cell phones. She gave birth a couple of weeks ago in New Somerset Hospital then we lost track of them. Apparently a member of the Sea Point community has assisted I trying to find a family shelter. Am not sure of current status.
Ive stayed in shelters in cape town each shelter has its own social worker. Its really easy to get in especially if you pay R300 or so upfront for the first month. They might give you the run around but if you persist you will get in. I dont buy this story he is probably doing drugs and the truth is most people on the street do drugs. This guy looks too clean for the street life even if he supposedly is on the street in a rich area.
I know 3 homeless people, and they are homeless due to drug uses and theft, fraud. And familiy has given up.
If you could suggest solutions to the homelessness issue in CT what would they be?
@@HomelessinCapeTown-tg5fd drug reabilitation would be 1st class, and teaching them a skill to be self sustainable. Very seldom they can adapt back into society.
Cape Town is the place to be man! It's also the safest city in SA so you have to be there....
Where can i find aaron
No one knows unfortunately 😔
Things are tough in SA
If you had to offer a solution to the homelessness on Cape Town what would it be?
@@HomelessinCapeTown-tg5fdwe as people need to help one another instead of relying on the government or other people to do the right thing.
@@JESUSsaves997 EXACTLY my thoughts! Thank you for the comment. No one is coming to save us besides ourselves.
Has this gentleman been helped. This is bullshit he needs to know the Truth of the Law. Please let me know I can help
Please email me your contact details then I will let him know if/when I see him again: williamsonerica@rocketmail.com
There are many gaps in his story 😮😮😮
Seems like a good dude, unfortunately you can’t trust anybody’s word on anything these days tho.
Hope he is truthful and gets work but yeah the whole my phone, wallet , Id and everything got stolen story and both parents won’t help , and endless weird stories and even moving to another completely different city jobless and homeless with No identity, bank cards or phones with a baby and another one on the way , too many red flags here , even you can test me for drugs , “ I did a test recently” part was heavvvy suspicious but yeah hope it’s the truth but like he even says , you cant trust anybody these days
Hope you find yourself man , be safe
The God I serve is Alive and He created the heavens and the earth.....God will surely bless Aaron if he Receives Him Jesus), as personal Lord and Saviour🙏. God will walk him thru he's test and trials..... Don't give up..we not to judge anyone, but pray and watch.Amen
Yeah it sounds sketchy ....
Sounds like tik or heroin, and excuses 🙄
How could they be pregnant when they can't even afford one 🤦♀️
Exactly!
I thought exactly the same thing! They know where babies come from!
Shit happens,unfortunately....with or without your judgement...
@hannah50353.....Stop judging...three fingers are pointing back at you.
@@gerhardvanderpoll7378 Agree 💯%..thank you.
A million excuses as a true victim of his own actions but nothing of him taking accountability.. I wish you well but with that mindset I have my reservations.
If you had to offer a solution to the homelessness in Cape Town what would it be?
@@HomelessinCapeTown-tg5fd the city of Cape Town are putting systems in place to address the issue but let’s not divert from your video posted and why his family turned on him and and and.. as above I wish him well.
Was hoping to see that he had had some luck
One sided stories don't paint a picture.
It does actually paint 'A' picture but not the full one.
@@HomelessinCapeTown-tg5fd The problem isn't that it's a one sided story it's that people like to play victim all the time, Like the fact that he blames everyone but himself for his struggles.
Responsibility is one thing yes, but what if he really was a victim? Could you offer any possible solutions to this story? This channel was not created to point out the obvious problems society is plagued with but to brainstorm solutions.
@@HomelessinCapeTown-tg5fd The only way out of the hole he is in is to accept that he dug it and move on, Everyone goes through adversities but the people that project their insecurities on others never move forward.
I'm talking about solutions as to how they can get off the street. (Bare in mind shelters are full the majority of the time, most don't take in couples or families and Aaron and his wife's families are unable/unwilling to help)
Baby should be on birth control period! I don't know why they bring children into the world to suffer,that's something I hate!
Sorry. Ppl are heartless and mean. Selfish and unkind. I hv met absolutely wicked ppl who are just a pose in prayer
The audacity to fall pregnant again 🙄🙄
Pity we can't see pic of wife....
His wife did not want to be filmed.
He looking clean his nails 😂
I thought Cape Town’s better???😢😮
In which way and compared to what? 🤔
looks like the SA version of Soft White Underbelly
Does 'Soft White Underbelly' only interview homeless people or do some of the candidates have places/houses they live in?
They interview a wide array of interesting characters, but there is an emphasis on people on streets (drug dealers, addicts, prostitutes).@@HomelessinCapeTown-tg5fd
@@HomelessinCapeTown-tg5fdall types of people and peoples life stories. Very sad!
Seems like an addict to me, just saying
Please no more babies this is a problem for the poor kids.....please sort this out....
Put your trust in God.. not man
So is your god going to help him....
???
@@gerhardvanderpoll7378 The Word says, repent.
The quicker someone overcome the denial of the consequences of one's own wrong decisions and sins, the quicker life will change to the better.
Oh please you say you have 1 drink. Clearly evident that you are not sober guy. Would love to help you but the fact that you have gone ahead and made your wife pregnant "AGAIN" means sorry for you bro
That's his side of the story. There are 3 sides to every story, His, theirs and the truth.....
Yes that is a common saying. Could you offer any possible solutions to this story?
Stop having babies guys.
Shame, I have seen this guy
He doesn't tell the truth. There must be something else. He talks too much,small talker
I'm 40 make good money been with my wife for 10 years and have 0 kids because shit is expensive,how the fak do you be that irresponsible? I'm sorry but this is just asinine. All I here is excuses and passing the buck.
This page was not created to point out the very obvious problems our society is plagued with but to offer solutions. If we only highlight a problem and not offer a solution then we are part of the problem..
@@HomelessinCapeTown-tg5fd very easy solution, don't punch above your weight. You going to get knocked out everytime
And how would you teach such a concept to a person that has been victimized and traumatized for the majority of their lives and now lives on the streets of Cape Town?
@@HomelessinCapeTown-tg5fd it doesn't take rocket science to pay attention and put 2 and 2 together. If you can't look after yourself how the fuck you going to look after another human being? You are literally advocating child abuse disguised as virtue signaling. These kids will repeat this exact same cycle more likely than not for eternity, it's time to wake up.
@@HomelessinCapeTown-tg5fd and just to make the situation even worse you can go to any government clinic in Cape Town and get contraceptives for free, wow what a concept! But that would take some form of cognitive function.
Strange family this poor guy has
its a shame to see this DA
Nothing the municipality can do.
Go look at the ANC and EFF run places. He fled from there.
Did he think it would be better in cape town
Cape town is for the rich@faniegreyling7949
@@faniegreyling7949 True...cant wait for us to be self governed...independent from the ANC & EFF.
@@delialubke6610that would be wonderful. Azeem hoosain please leave the western cape. No place for that mindset here.
He looks like a trust fund kid from CT. Dresses the same
Shady
Ye no more babies 😂
Excuses excuses.
How on earth can your own family turn you away
Pray it never happens to you or your kids. You clearly have no compassion for others. Shame on you.
It's almost always because someone has taken advantage too much. Usually there's drugs or alcohol involved. Either the kids or the parents or both.
Can they please stop having babies. Specially a year apart 🫨 there’s more to this story.
Jhb is crime ridden
Cape town is just as bad.
drugs
Agree