Durban Beach Shelter

ABOUT US

History of the Organization

A little bit about where we came from

The nature of work the organization conducts is based on the humanitarian needs and beliefs. Hereunder is the background of the organization and the work being conducted.

The organization was established in 1998 by Mr MSHM Sanuseen (Deen Mohamed) foreign national from Sri-Lanka. He had experienced and had seen the plight of the poverty-stricken and destitute individuals. He was so moved by the tragic circumstances of the homeless that he launched the Durban Beach Shelter with the financial support he received from his family back home.

To date the organization had assisted approximately 6.8 million individuals since its launch. We assist all individuals irrespective of race, colour, sex, religion or nationality. We do not practice xenophobia. It provides proper sleeping facilities, two meals and a cup of tea, hot and cold water sanitary facilities, recreation skills and development programs, infant support, social-welfare assistance and street feeding programs amongst other services which we render. For the services offered we request an amount of R25.00.

Not all residents pay the full amounts. Some either have short or no funds at all. We do not turn them away as many are living with us for long periods of time. We do not allow the consumption of alcohol or the practice of drugs or prostitution on our premises. Owing to the standards we maintained many institutions including the South African and Metro Police Services, hospitals, social services, religious and non -governmental organization either refer or bring individuals for assistance. Most of them have no funds at all. We do not turn them away as long as they comply with our rules and regulations. To this effect we have supporting letters.

We do not have regular sponsors the monies paid by the residents are utilized for operational costs such as rentals, water, electricity, transportation, office automation, salaries, and groceries etc, which are astronomically high.

Relocation and Renovation

Some information about our relocation.

Our problem commenced since 2007. Our previous landlord had served us with an eviction order. Prior to the order we had requested from eThekwini to come to our assistance and grant us a building to conduct our work. Through assistance from the executive director of Human resources, eThekwini Municipality a meeting was convened. This was in 2007. Those present at the meeting:

• Mr Dave Cloete- Human resources Director- eThekwini Municipality
• Mr Derek Naidoo- Deputy City Manager-eThekwini Municipality
• Mr Kogie Pather –Director Housing-EThekwini Municipality
• Mr Thabo Mokoaleli-Manager Social Housing – eThekwini Municipality
• Mr Walter Ngubane-Manager Informal Housing -eThekwini Municipality
• Mr Deen Mohamed- Chairperson –Durban Beach Shelter
• Mrs Lando Mabaso –Chief Admin Officer – Durban Beach Shelter
• Mr Ruben Dhary-Board secretary-Durban Beach Shelter.

At that meeting the eThekwini Municipality had made an understanding to attain a building for us to continue with our humanitarian work. Mr Thabo Mokoaleli was appointed as the project manager. The clover dairies vacant building was the first premises to be considered. This came to avail as the landlord requested more funds. Hence this fell apart.

Thereafter we were shown other buildings by the eThekwini Municipality but for the reason unknown to us these came to no avail. We were then requested to identify buildings and notify them. On doing so it was told to us that the buildings were not the property of eThekwini Municipality. One building became the centre of controversy. It is located in 85 Anton Lembede Street. It was vacant at that time and to date is still vacant. The eThekwini Municipality initially confessed that the building does not belong to them. Eventually through sources it was discovered that it did belong to the eThekwini Municipality.

After numerous meetings and deliberations with the Municipality and correspondences to MEC’s from housing, finance, national government the decision was placed in the hands of the eThekwini Municipality. The person who makes the final decision was the former city manager, Dr Mike Sutcliffe. He totally objected to our request. This was in spite of the fact that all other senior role players from eThekwini Municipality supported our identification of that building.

Dr Mike Sutcliffe stated at that time that the building was to be utilized as a tourist attraction. To date it building is still vacant and being vandalized. Had this building being given to us for the nature of work which we conduct would be not only exposing the city as one which assists the underprivileged and destitute through organization like us but would also have had the eThekwini Municipality materialize their commitment to assist our organization by granting of a building.

Thus through the procrastination by the eThekwini Municipality and the reasons unknown to us to attain a building the landlord proceeded with the eviction order against us citing the eThekwini Municipality as the second respondent.

Prior to the hearing the eThekwini Municipality had appointed an independent mediator to have this matter resolved amicably. He had conducted his duties accordingly. He had complied with all requests of the eThekwini Municipality.

NB: You would find the report of the mediator as an attached document.

On perusal of the report you would discover that the report is unbiased and impartial. It gives a proper report of our organization. It also compares us to other organization serving the same services but not offering nor rendering the work that we conduct. In spite of this the eThekwini Municipality, still did not come to our assistance.

At the hearing owing to technicalities we had lost the case. The findings were that the eThekwini Municipality would provide accommodation for the residents of the organizations and not the organization to conduct its work. It must be noted that the building allocated was located in a notorious area. The residents have to pay thrice of what we request they do receive free meals and have to pay for toilet paper as well as the use of bathing facilities. In our organization these facilities were provided together with other services for R30-00.

We refused this premise as it was not conducive for our purposes. We were ordered to leave the premises by the 10h00 the following day after the hearing. This had placed us in a predicament. We were blessed and fortunate to secure a building for relocation during the same night. We immediately began moving our residents and belongings. The landlord of the building had also hired labourers to remove our stuff. This was difficult to monitor and thus we had many items and documents damaged, lost or stolen.

At our present premises we pay much higher rentals. You would agree without financial or material support from the government, business and public sectors makes it difficult for us to operate and conduct this form of humanitarian work. It must be noted that we had lost astronomical funds owing to the high court case (legal fees), relocation, renovation and purchases of lost items.

With your organization on board it would be of tremendous help. The funds saved could be utilized on other fundamental requirements for the organization to assist the underprivileged and destitute individuals.

SERVICES

Our Focus

What we do and where we are going

Our primary intention is to assist individuals to be rehabilitated, uplift their morals and return them to their rightful place in society as well as rejoin their families. We also assisted residents to have their children placed in government schools as well as with the purchase of school uniforms and stationery.

When we receive excess donation in terms of vegetable and clothes we distribute those items to the squatter and rural areas as well as to other institutions. For these services we were applauded. To date we had concluded 21 burials of our residents. This was owing to the fact that we could not reach their next of kin and did not want them to have a pauper’s burial. Through our assistance many residents has attained their grants and pensions, and children were registered at Home Affairs and managed to get their identity documents.

Through liaison and communication with companies many individuals were placed in employment. During the Xenophobic attacks many individuals were assisted at no costs at all. Excluding the normal services we provided them with clothes and free telephone calls.

The organizations focal concentration is on skills and development. Our intention is to assist individuals to become independent and self-sustainable. Do note owing to high unemployment rate, lack of skills, illiteracy, poverty, high fluctuation on prices of goods, the cross-section of our population find it difficult to survive through these hard times. In our institute we have single mothers with no skills or working experience. Most of them are street vendors, beggars, some look out for hand-outs in order to survive and there are those who participate in prostitution. By attaining skills training it will enable them to find proper employment. This and other programs that we intended to implement had to be suspended owing to the lack of funds. This was owing to High Court matter, relocation and renovation costs.

Our skills and training program namely carpentry, computer training, sewing and baking which we had to suspend due to lack of funds/sponsorship. Baking training is very helpful especially because instead of purchasing the bread we use to bake our own, we also baked biscuits to sell and generate income for sustainability and income for the bakers. We do not purchase tea bags as it is sponsored by Five Roses. We are also giving baby purity, nappies and formula milk newborn to 1 year old.

These are some of the items we utilize for preparations of daily meals are as follows, rice, cooking oil, sugar, cylinder gas (19kg), potatoes, onions, milk, spices, bread for breakfast and bread for street-feeding, mealie meal, jam, peanut butter and margarine to spread on bread, sugar beans, meat/chicken, samp, mixed vegetables, dhall, cleaning materials, tin stuff. Any thing that you might have or want to donate that is not in the list is also very much appreciated and will be used accordingly.

The institute has 11 employees. The employees receive remuneration, free meals and accommodation. We receive some donations in kind from patrons in the form of food, groceries and items of service towards the institute. In some instances patrons prefer to prepare meals on special days and supply the organization. Others donate surplus foods from functions. This is how the organization is able to sustain itself.

We were advised and directed accordingly that we have to approach your offices. Hence we hereby request your intervention to assist us. The reason being is that the organization caters for those whom are stranded and destitute in the city. We also envisage assisting those whom travel from outlaying areas to perform menials or other work in and around the city. This will assist them in saving in traveling and other costs. They would be able to have extra monies and live in proper conditions.

We want to assist them through a variety of programs as well as allow them and access education. Owing to our reputation Iqraa Trust had donated to us a mini-bakery.

Accommodation All Welcome - From R25-00 per night - inludes the following:

• ACCOMMODATION, HOT AND COLD WATER
• BREAKFAST AND A CUP OF TEA IN MORNINGS
• A PLATE OF FOOD FOR SUPPER
• LAUNDRY FACILITIES
• CLOSE TO BUS ROUTE AND BEACH
• RECREATIONAL AREA
• PENSIONERS R800 PER MONTH (DAY & NIGHT)

Who we have contacted

List of people we liased, communicated or responded with for assistance.

OFFICES OF THE PRESIDENT

• MR THABO MBEKI
• MR JACOB ZUMA

OFFICES OF THE ANC (H.O)

• MR JACOB ZUMA – PRESIDENT OF ANC
• KALIMA MOTHLANTE – DEPUTY PRESIDENT ANC

OFFICES OF THE PREMIER – KZN

• MR FRANK MDLALOSE – FORMER PREMIER
• MR SBU NDEBELE – FORMER PREMIER
• MR ZWELI MKHIZE – CURRENT PREMIER

MEC – KZN

• MR MIKE MABUYAKHULU – HUMAN SETTLEMENT
• MS THOKO DIDIZA – PUBLIC WORK
• MS INA CRONJE – EX FINANCE
• MS MAGESHNIE GOVENDER – HUMAN SETTLEMENT

EXECUTIVE LEVEL – ETHEKWINI

• MR OBED MLABA - EX MAYOR
• MR JAMES NXUMALO – CURRENT MAYOR
• MS FAWZIA PEER – EX CHIEF WHIP
• MR JOE NENE – POLITICAL ADVISOR TO MAYOR

ETHEKWINI MUNICIPALITY

• MR DEREK NAIDOO – DEPUTY CITY MANAGER
• MR COGIE PATHER – DIRECTOR HOUSING
• MR YUNUS SACOOR – DEPUTY DIRECTOR HOUSING
• MR THABO MOKOALELI – SOCIAL HOUSING MANAGER
• MR WALTER NGUBANE – INFORMAL HOUSING MANAGER

PROVINCIAL

• MS ZANDILE NYANDU – HUMAN SETTLEMENT
• MR SENZO DLAMINI – HUMAN SETTLEMENT
• MR THABANI MABUYA- HEAD OF MINISTRY – HUMAN SETTLEMENT
• MR ROBERT SIBIYA – DEPUTY DIRECTOR HUMAN SETTLEMENT
• MR B.E CELE – KZN COASTAL REGION MANAGER

MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT

• WINNIE MADIKIZELA MANDELA

Your sensitivity and generosity will ensure that the Durban Beach Shelter will continue to be a beacon of light for the dispossessed, homeless and the destitute. We would really appreciate your support.

Thus, assistance would enable us to focus on our other financial dilemma as your assistance would concentrate on our meals.

DONATIONS:

Banking Details

Please contact us if you have any questions.

Direct deposit at ALBARAKA BANK

• Branch code: 800 000
• Lillah Acc number: 786 000 72105
• Zakaat Acc number: 786 000 72121
• Type of acc: Current

Cash and Cheque Deposits Only ABSA

• Branch code: 632005
• Acc number: 4073412216
• Reference: 786 000 72105
• Type of acc: Current

Please fax us the deposit slip as soon as the deposit is made so as to confirm with the bank.