In Johannesburg and Pretoria, cities in South Africa, it’s not just the government taking an active role in fighting against poverty; the cities’ communities are also taking active steps. Several volunteer community programs in South Africa, along with help from local universities, are striving to reduce homelessness and improve the lives of impoverished individuals in Johannesburg and Pretoria.

From setting up life training sessions and job safety nets to raising awareness through volunteer experience, the communities of Johannesburg and Pretoria are selflessly committed to poverty reduction in the cities.

U-Turn Homeless

One of the community programs in Johannesburg and Pretoria is U-turn Homeless Ministries (U-turn). The program is focused on raising awareness and correcting misconceptions about the homeless population in South Africa.

One of its most popular events involves citizens volunteering to spend a night on the streets to experience homelessness for one night. The event is done to raise awareness among citizens who are in a position to help and honor the homeless population.

The most recent U-turn event occurred on May 17, 2025, in Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa. The event also served as a fundraiser for homeless communities. Thanks to the strong turnout, enough funds were raised to provide 13,000 nights of shelter for 300 unhoused individuals.

The Community Work Program

One program prevalent in Johannesburg and Pretoria is the Community Work Program (CWP), which focuses on creating job safety nets for individuals. It offers many services to individuals looking for work and the unemployed youth.

The CWP helps establish mentorships to guide youth through difficult life situations and teach them how to handle them. In 2020, 43.2% of working-age youth in South Africa were unemployed. Programs like the CWP aim to reduce this number by creating safer and more accessible job opportunities for young people.

The Integrated Community Registration Outreach Program

The Integrated Community Registration Outreach Program (ICROP) focuses on reaching excluded and isolated individuals and communities. While its primary goal is inclusion, the broader objective is to reduce poverty significantly.

One of its biggest achievements was helping lower the national poverty rate from 57% to 45% in just four years. Furthermore, ICROP has also facilitated hundreds of thousands of child grant registrations and continues to expand its impact.

The University of Pretoria

The University of Pretoria (UP) stands out as a key driver of poverty reduction among South Africa’s many community programs. Indeed, UP has become a hub for integrating poverty solutions at both the local and national levels. The university has supported numerous student-led initiatives and volunteer efforts to tackle poverty in Pretoria.

It has also collaborated with international partners to address the root causes of poverty in South Africa. One example is the UP Law Clinic, which provides free legal assistance to low-income individuals. It involves law students directly in helping resolve legal issues that can trap people in cycles of poverty.

Conclusion

While the road to ending poverty in South Africa is still long and difficult, it’s encouraging to see that the fight isn’t left to the government alone. Citizens and communities across the country are stepping up with determination and compassion to drive real change.

– Russell Bivins

Russell is based in Phoenix, AZ, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr