When an eyesore of trash havoc started ruining a community’s morning in Sea Point, one homeless hero took action:
Sea Point, South Africa (12 February 2024) — On Sunday morning, a part of Sea Point woke up to trash havoc.
At a common curb near the Point Mall where foot traffic is frequent, it looked as though a small garbage truck had broken down. Packets. Papers. Bottles. You name it. The usually very pretty street faced an unfortunate eyesore, much to the dismay evident in commentary from those driving, cycling and trotting by.
Almost everyone in that part of Sea Point had something to say about it, according to community members. Heads shook with disappointment. Some colourful language was said to have been present too. People crossed the street to avoid it. And mutterings about the problematic street children who had reportedly been the cause of several calls from private security in the area could be heard.
But nobody had yet taken on fixing up the mess.
As a community member who saw the trash havoc unfold explained to Good Things Guy’s Ashleigh, the trashed curb had reportedly been the work of someone who ripped open black bags and proceeded to kick what was inside all over the show. Why this happened isn’t the point.
While complaints continued, one person quietly made their way up to the chaos. One homeless person shook his head before stopping and taking action.
Without a moment’s hesitation or fuss, he slowly but surely cleaned all of it himself. Piece by piece (and there was a lot) he bent his tired body over and made sure that the curb looked much, much better than when he found it.
What was initially a sight of distress became a sight of hope. Moments like that tend to stay front of mind because they warm hearts—partly in a joyful way, and partly in that reflective way you experience upon realising quiet hope happens around us all the time.
Was it a small act? Yes. But he made someone’s Sunday. And that small act of good changed the trajectory of everyone’s experience in that part of the suburb from negative to positive, which turns it into a pretty big act when you think about it.
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