Homeless Talk undergoes metamorphosis

Homeless Talk, designed as a development project now in its 14th year, has reportedly successfully highlighted issues of poverty and homelessness and empowered hundreds of vendors through employment and income generation. The plan is to make the new paper a vital new presence on the streets that readers eagerly await the next issue.

Comments Homeless Talk chairperson Kojo Parris, “The newspaper [is looking] to broaden its mandate and appeal, while retaining its loyal core audience and commitment to addressing issues of those who live, transact and participate in the metro.”

The revamp will have three sets of readers – its traditional northern suburbs reader; black commuters who live on the periphery of the city who come into the city to work each day; and city populations living in Hillbrow, Berea and Yeoville.

Parris continues, saying, “The objectives over the next 18 – 24 months are to develop a product that communicates the values and aspirations of people who live and work in the city. By the end of 2008, Homeless Talk aims to be in the four major metros, Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town and Tswane."

Not sufficiently tapped

The paper is looking to become financially stable and available on a weekly basis. It is believed that Homeless Talk has not sufficiently tapped the potential to improve the lives of the core beneficiaries and offer the market a sufficiently attractive product.

Adds Parris, “We are transforming a somewhat inconsistent publication, viewed by many as a welfare product, into a commercially robust and socially engaged product. It must provide a platform to inform ourselves beyond our social enclaves, and also entertain and buttress our hopes for a better tomorrow.”

The key is to ensure a clear and shared vision, develop a rational execution structure and empower motivated individuals to drive this entity. Objectives include consolidating disparate groups such as the writers and vendors and having an impact on readers in the wider community.

For more information, contact Sindi Msomi on +27 (0)11 838 6651 or +27 (0)72 6000 405 or email or . Donations to help Homeless Talk achieve its goals are also welcomed:

Account Name: Homeless Talk
Bank: FNB
Account number: 5066 1198 869
Account type: cheque account
Branch: Gandhi Square
Branch code: 205 605