JOHANNESBURG – For many homeless people who attended the Gauteng Department of Social Development’s Homeless Outreach Programme in Berea, a haircut was about far more than a change in appearance. It became a symbol of renewed confidence, dignity and hope.
Among the volunteers making a lasting impact was 48-year-old Warren Steenveld, a recovering drug addict whose personal journey from homelessness to healing has inspired him to help others rebuild their lives.
Steenveld, a barber from Coronationville, volunteered his time as part of the outreach programme’s makeover team. Supported by the Manger Centre Non-Profit Organisation, which is funded by the Gauteng Department of Social Development, he believes a simple haircut can restore more than just someone’s appearance. “I enjoy cutting people’s hair because it brings back their confidence and self-esteem. Seeing someone smile after a haircut makes me happy,” he said.
His path to recovery has been marked by hardship and loss. Steenveld once dreamed of becoming a pastor and was studying Theology when drug addiction forced him to abandon his studies during his second year. Substance abuse eventually cost him almost everything, including his marriage, and at one point he also experienced homelessness. During the same difficult period, he lost his mother, whom he describes as his greatest source of support. “Losing everything I had worked for, including my marriage, was the worst thing that ever happened to me. During that difficult time, I also lost my mother, who had always supported me,” he recalled.
After completing rehabilitation, Steenveld found a fresh start at the Manger Centre, where he received the support needed to rebuild his life. “Today I am grateful because the Manger Centre welcomed me after I completed rehabilitation. Thank God, I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.
Working with homeless people has become deeply personal for Steenveld, who says the experience reminds him of his own struggles as well as those of his brother, who also lived on the streets while battling drug addiction. “You need patience, compassion and love. Many people on the streets have gone for long periods without proper care, so something as simple as washing and cutting their hair can make a big difference,” he said.
Steenveld believes that restoring a person’s appearance is often the first step towards restoring their self-worth and creating opportunities for a better future. “A real makeover goes beyond a haircut or clean clothes. It restores dignity and self-esteem, and that can be the beginning of finding employment, housing and a better life. We may not be able to change everyone, but every life we touch is worth it,” he said.
Reflecting on his own recovery, Steenveld said relationship problems contributed to his addiction, but rehabilitation taught him valuable lessons about rebuilding trust, choosing healthy friendships and creating a new future. Now focused on giving back, he hopes to establish a barber training centre where recovering addicts can learn practical skills, earn a living and regain their independence.
He also plans to continue volunteering at outreach programmes, saying it is his way of expressing gratitude to those who helped him turn his life around. Steenveld believes tackling substance abuse and supporting vulnerable people requires a collective effort from families, communities and government. “The young generation needs guidance and support. Building stronger communities is everyone’s responsibility,” he said.
The Homeless Outreach Programme forms part of the Gauteng Department of Social Development’s ongoing efforts to provide integrated support services to people living on the streets, helping them regain their dignity while connecting them with rehabilitation, social assistance and opportunities to rebuild their lives.