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Sunday, June 8, 2025

Street people share too

They felt just having someone to listen to their life stories was fantastic. I was also astonished by the many unsung heroes helping, writes David Gemmel

Saturday Star Canvas
David Gemmell|Published

#TheStreetPeople | Helpless, Hapless and Homeless

"The Housing Shortage is just a rumour put out by people who have nowhere to live”

Saturday Star News
David Gemmell|Published

PICS: Bubbly sex-worker Given is confident about her job, clients

It is what she does, so she makes the most of it and enjoys the sex! David Gemmell speaks to Given who is a "lady of the night".

News South Africa Gauteng
David Gemmell|Published

The Painter & The Craftsman

Cross lives in Melville, but comes to Greenside because there are “too many people selling crafts in Melville”.

Saturday Star News
David Gemmell|Published

The return of the TrashJunkies

Glenhazel supermarket helps feed poor recyclers

Saturday Star News
David Gemmell|Published

#TheStreetPeople: If someone says they pay better for plastic on the other side we go there

You have cursed them while your driving to work or home, for taking up space on the roads, but they probably have to walk another hour and more to reach their destintion

Lifestyle
David Gemmell|Published

#TheStreetPeople: Car guarding is a 'job' many take pride in

Making a living on the street isn?t easy, but some do make ends meet

Lifestyle
David Gemmell|Published

#TheStreetPeople : How one man and his dog survive on charity

Chris and his dog, Stompie, have been begging for food or work on the corner of Bella Vista and Rifle Range roads, Joburg for the last seven years.

Lifestyle
David Gemmell|Published

Story behind a sign of the times

What leads a father of twins to swallow his pride and spend his days at the traffic lights in Cresta?

Lifestyle
David Gemmell|Published

#TheStreetPeople : The One-Legged Wallet Man

He sells wallets for a living and hopefully can afford to buy an artificial leg one day

Lifestyle
David Gemmell|Published

#TheStreetPeople: Collecting rubbish suits bag-man David

I think people see I am clean and smart and I am friendly, so a lot of them smile at me and give me money

Lifestyle
David Gemmell|Published

#TheStreetPeople : Show them a picture, they will make it

Wire Artists from Zimbabwe market their wares as one, but each is an individual

Saturday Star News
David Gemmell|Published

Using brooms to sweep up an income

Welcome Gama provides for his daughter, son and mother by cheerfully plying his wares on the streets of Parktown North.

News South Africa Gauteng
David Gemmell|Published

#TheStreetPeople : Roses are a family's lifeline

Johannes Thungo supports nine people by selling fresh flowers in the street

Saturday Star News
David Gemmell|Published

#TheStreetPeople : The Knitting Lady at corner Jan Smuts and Conrad Drive

Michelle has a plan which includes travelling and teaching women to knit

Saturday Star News
David Gemmell|Published

#TheStreetPeople: The hunchback of Bompass Road

He doesn’t feel the slightest bit of unhappiness about his predicament. ‘I will never be cross. It’s the way God put me. ’

Saturday Star News
David Gemmell|Published

My new approach to street people: get to know them

I often tip them. Buy from them. Fist-pump them. Sometimes I ignore them. Once in a blue moon, I try and run them over. Now I've decided to learn something about them.

Saturday Star News
David Gemmell|Published

He left behind a life of crime and learnt to juggle

After a near homicidal incident with a street person, David Gemmell decided to get to know Snake, the juggler.

News South Africa Gauteng
David Gemmell|Published