- After four years of homelessness due to addiction and job loss, Brandon Manzoni reached his lowest point before seeking help through U-Turn Homeless Ministries.
- U-Turn’s faith-based rehabilitation programme provided him with counselling, life coaching and work-readiness training.
- Now working as a communications intern at U-Turn, Manzoni shares his story to inspire others, emphasizing that with support and determination, life beyond homelessness is possible.
On a rainy night in Cape Town Brandon Manzoni lay on a cold stoep, soaked and exhausted. It was his lowest point after four years of homelessness, four years of sleeping under bridges, searching for safe places and feeling invisible to society. But that night, something shifted. “I called out to God and said, ‘Enough is enough.’ I wanted my life back.”
Manzoni is one of thousands affected by Cape Town’s homelessness crisis.
According to City of Cape Town officials, over 14 000 people currently live on the streets, a number that has surged due to economic hardships, job losses and addiction struggles.
While shelters and NGOs work tirelessly to provide support, the demand often outweighs available resources.
Manzoni’s story is one of stark contrast. He once had a high-paying job, travelled the world and worked for a reputable company. But with professional success came immense pressure. “With the stress I mixed with the wrong crowd and started using drugs,” he said. What began as a way to cope spiralled out of control, costing him everything.
“I couldn’t go to my family, and my friends wrote me off. The hardest part was feeling as if no-one cared, as if I wasn’t even seen as a person anymore.”
On the streets survival became a daily struggle. “It wasn’t just about food, but finding a safe space. Being alone was dangerous, so I had to align myself with people who had been living there longer.”
Manzoni described the emotional toll of the loneliness, the loss of dignity and the constant battle for survival. “I had to find ways to get money to support my habit and eat. There was a lot of lying, a lot of cheating. When people don’t see you as a person you start feeling less than you are.”
Determined to turn his life around, Brandon sought help. He first arrived at a shelter, only to find it full, forcing him to sleep outside for two nights. Eventually, a social worker introduced him to U-Turn Homeless Ministries, a faith-based rehabilitation programme that helps individuals transition off the streets.
“The best thing about U-Turn was the constant support. The work-readiness programme prepared me for employment, and I was assigned a counsellor and a life coach. Having someone truly listen to me was life changing.”
U-Turn focuses on long-term rehabilitation rather than short-term relief. “They helped me rebuild my relationship with my family. Because they are faith-based they also helped me get closer to God, which shifted my mindset completely.”
Manzoni’s turning point came when he hit rock bottom. “I barely had clothes on my back. I walked into U-Turn with no social skills, just raw. But they gave me a chance to transform my life.”
Now, after completing the programme, he works as a communications intern at U-Turn, sharing his story to inspire others. “I know what it feels like to be written off. People assume you’re just a druggie or a criminal. But I’m proof that change is possible. I don’t want anyone to feel invisible the way I did.”
As he continues rebuilding his life, Manzoni has taken further steps toward independence. “I’ve applied for social housing and am on the waiting list. I’m also studying again. It feels good to be working towards something again.”
While organisations such as U-Turn make a significant impact, the broader homelessness crisis persists. Solutions require a multi-faceted approach, including expanding transitional housing and work-readiness programmes, increasing mental-health and addiction support services, encouraging businesses to create job opportunities for former homeless individuals and strengthening partnerships among government, NGOs and communities.
Manzoni acknowledges his journey is ongoing. For those still struggling on the streets he offers words of encouragement.
“There are people who care, people who will go the extra mile for you. Homelessness isn’t your life, you have the decision to change. No-one is going to come along and save you, but if you’re resolute you can turn things around.”