Sandton ex-beggar quits job and goes back to life on the streets

07 September 2015 - 14:26 By Times LIVE
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A Johannesburg beggar, who was in July helped by a good Samaritan to get a job and a place to stay, has quit and gone back to his life of homelessness and drug abuse.

Joseph Phukube was first noticed by Sandton resident Pam Green, who posted his matric certificate and curriculum vitae on Facebook.

Phukube had for months stood at a Sandton traffic light with his CV at hand begging for work. Job and bursary offers poured in and within days, Phukube had landed a job at a company called Locomute in Midrand, as well as a furnished apartment and a second chance at life.

Video footage of Phukube was posted on YouTube thanking all the people who had helped him turn his life around.

 

On Friday 4 September, however, Green announced on Facebook that Phukube had given it all up and returned to his life on the streets.

Below is a Facebook status of Pamela Green titled: 'Today the dream ended'

'Today the dream ended'

It is with the heaviest heart and tears in my eyes that I am writing this.

Joseph's actions have lead him back to his previous life choice. He has left the home given to him, and he is once again homeless and unemployed. Our hearts are broken, and I sit here, still hoping that one day he will choose a healthier future for himself!

At this time, it is important to remember the other side of the last 2 months......

I left my corporate job and followed my lifelong dream to formally create ‪#‎SecondChances. In the last 2 months, with the help of the page's followers, we have helped to successfully create second chances for over 25 people, resulting in 84 lives being changed for the better, forever!

Together with YOUR help, people are believing, people are doing, we are restoring humanity!

I will forever be grateful to Joseph for helping me to create my ‪#‎SecondChance. I might not have been able to change his life, but he has forever changed mine, and I am committed to continue striving to change the world, one life at a time!

"It's really amazing when two strangers become the best of friends, but it's really sad when the best of friends become two strangers."

Hamba kahle Joseph......

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