A short film, which will be screened at The Masque Theatre in Muizenberg, explores the work done by U-Turn, a non-profit organisation that helps the homeless.
Shelter at the Masque, a film made by U-Turn, tells the story of Quintin McLaughlin, 48, and how he got off the streets with the help of U-Turn and the Rea Thusana Foundation, another non-profit organisation.
McLaughlin spent more than eight years on the streets of Muizenberg and one of the places where he found safety at night was outside The Masque Theatre.
U-Turn spokeswoman Quinique Jagers said Mr McLaughlin recently graduated from U-Turn’s four-phase programme and got the keys to his own flat.
The story of how Mr McLaughlin got off the streets starts in 2008 when he met Phineas Sebotsane, who went on to found the Rea Thusana Foundation in 2020.
At the time, Mr McLaughlin was working as a car guard and Mr Sebotsane was documenting the stories of homeless people and sharing them on social media.
“I was having a very bad day, and I actually asked him (Mr McLaughlin) to pray for me. He was very surprised that I had asked him as it had always been perceived that homeless people have nothing to give so how can they pray for someone,” said Mr Sebotsane.
During the following years, Mr Sebotsane and Mr McLaughlin developed a close relationship and stayed in contact.
Mr Sebotsane said that after the homeless had been “released” from the City of Cape Town’s Strandfontein Covid-19 facility in 2020, some said they could “see colours again”, which meant they were sober and some wanted to stay that way.
He helped Mr McLaughlin to get into a rehab facility and then introduced him to the U-Turn programme.
“He trusted me, and I became his mentor, and we walked the journey together, which wasn’t easy, but when I look back, it was an amazing journey. He was looking for fertile ground to grow, and he has certainly grown,” said Mr Sebotsane.
Mr McLaughlin said his heart was filled with gratitude.
He became homeless after abusing drugs for 27 years. At the time, he was married and had three children and one from a previous relationship.
He said he had been dishonest about his wages as he had tried to sustain his drug habit and his wife had kicked him out.
He went to live with his sister who also kicked him out due to his drug habits.
He said his first day on the streets was “scary” as he was not welcome.
“Many street people belong to gangs, and if they don’t know you, you are not welcome. To become one of them, I had to trade drugs and was later welcomed,” he said.
He said night-times were the worst as he was too scared to sleep.
“This is when people sneak up on you and rob you,” he said.
He also had to endure being pepper-sprayed by security guards and losing his belongings due to removals by Law Enforcement.
He said he had been sober for three years and two months and had been employed permanently since February this year by the Sneaker Shack in Gardens. He also recently got his own flat.
He said the best part about living in his own place was having a toilet.
“It’s not easy when you are on the streets, you know,” he said.
“I have qualified as a sneaker technician and can clean, restore, revive, and customise sneakers,” he said.
He said his favourite part of the job was speaking to customers.
He has also reconnected with his family and his children.
“I am extremely proud of myself. I feel like a celeb as my face is all over Facebook and YouTube. My heart is full.”
The short film will be screened at The Masque Theatre on Wednesday July 26. Tickets cost R100 and R85 for pensioners and include refreshments, coffee, and popcorn.
The box office will open at 6pm and the film will be screened at 7pm.
Tickets are available through Quicket.
