HLANGULA RESTORES DIGNITY TO HOMELESS WOMEN ON WOMEN’S DAY
31 August 2026 | Ntsikelelo Jonga | Western Cape
For a group of homeless women living at Acacia Park, in front of the Goodwood Army Base, Women’s Day was a reminder that their circumstances do not take away their dignity or worth.
On 16 August 2026, Hlangula Hope of Homeless hosted a special Women’s Day celebration for homeless women at the park, bringing together several organisations and individuals to provide food, clothing, beauty treatments, spiritual support and, most importantly, a message of hope.
The event was held in partnership with Prophetic Life Ministry, Umkhosi Weentokazi and House of Jerusalem Soup Kitchen.
Under the theme of restoring dignity, the initiative sought to remind homeless people that they are seen, valued and loved despite the challenges they face.
Women received make-up, clothing and meals, while the gathering also provided spiritual nourishment through preaching, prayer and teachings.
According to Hlangula, its vision is to “bring back the beauty and dignity of homeless people” and to show them that they have not been forgotten.
The day was marked by an atmosphere of celebration, with a large cake, refreshments and enough food shared among those who attended. The combination of practical assistance and spiritual encouragement made the event particularly meaningful for many of the women.
The church service delivered by Prophetic Life Ministry included strong prophetic messages and teachings, with some of the homeless women making a commitment to follow Jesus and expressing their intention to attend future church services.
A member of Umkhosi Weentokazi, also known as the Army of Single Ladies, delivered a message of hope, reminding those present that no matter what situation a person may be facing, God is able to change their circumstances.
The event also brought together people from different organisations and language backgrounds, with isiXhosa, Afrikaans and English used during the programme. Organisers said the diversity helped create an inclusive environment where everyone could participate and feel welcomed.
Aviwe Tseke, a preacher and teacher, also contributed to the event by providing décor through his business. Although the décor is normally part of his business services, Tseke donated his services for the day as part of his contribution to the initiative.
Young people also attended the event, assisting with serving and entertainment. Their involvement provided an opportunity for them to learn valuable lessons about compassion, service and caring for vulnerable members of the community.
Among those living at the park is an elderly woman who uses a wheelchair and struggles to perform everyday tasks independently. Her daughter has chosen to live with her so that she can assist her with her daily needs.
The family said the conditions at the settlement remain difficult, including limited access to basic necessities such as water, making the support of community organisations particularly important.
Speaking about the event, Mr Sijeku expressed his excitement at seeing homeless women being celebrated and treated with dignity.
He said he hoped to take the initiative to an even higher level at the next celebration, while thanking God and all the organisations and individuals who contributed.
“This was made possible through the power of combination,” he said, highlighting the importance of organisations working together to make a difference in vulnerable communities.
The Women’s Day event was not Hlangula’s first initiative aimed at remembering and supporting homeless people. Sijeku said the organisation also hosted an event on 14 February 2026, when homeless people were remembered and celebrated on Valentine’s Day.
For Hlangula and its partners, the Women’s Day celebration demonstrated that restoring dignity does not always require grand gestures. Sometimes, it begins with a meal, a new outfit, a moment of kindness, a prayer and the simple reminder that you are seen, you matter and you are not forgotten.
