After walking 1,600km from Durban to Cape Town to shed light on South Africa’s housing crisis, architect Wandile Mthiyane spent his very first night in the Mother City at a homeless shelter to listen, learn, and help build a more dignified future.
Cape Town, South Africa (19 June 2026) – A little over two months ago, architect and social innovator Wandile Mthiyane embarked on a gruelling 1,600-km journey from Durban to Cape Town. His mission, dubbed “Walk for Home,” aimed to raise awareness about South Africa’s housing crisis and secure funding for his upcoming studies at Harvard University.
After 60 days on the road, a bold quest previously featured in an exclusive story by Good Things Guy, Wandile’s incredible journey has successfully come to completion.
Upon arriving in the Mother City, Wandile received a warm welcome and chose to spend his very first night at the Safe Sleeping Zone, a newly launched homeless shelter created by the Cape Town Central City Improvement District (CCID) in collaboration with The Haven Night Shelter.
The Safe Sleeping Zone is a groundbreaking pilot project designed to provide a secure and welcoming space for those in need. It offers temporary shelter and practical support tailored specifically for chronically homeless individuals who often find themselves excluded from existing facilities due to strict eligibility criteria.
Wandile says spending the night at the shelter was deliberate and helped him listen, learn, and better understand the realities people experiencing homelessness face every day.
“My goal is not to arrive with answers, but to hear their stories and work alongside them in co-creating solutions,” he explained.
Tara Gerardy-Bissolati, head of CCID Social Development, shared that Wandile also accompanied CCID peer field workers on outreach shifts through the CBD, gaining firsthand knowledge of the daily challenges faced by the homeless community.
Reflecting on the experience, Wandile shared:
“Housing is more than a structure. It is dignity, safety, belonging, and the foundation from which people can rebuild their lives. Tonight is about understanding what happens when that foundation is missing.”
The Cape Town Campaign Reframing Homelessness as Stories of Hope
Two Deaf Learners Are Building the Dictionary Their Classmates NeedWandile’s walk was inspired by his late aunt, who waited years for a government RDP house without success. Throughout his 60-day walk, Wandile witnessed both the harsh realities of inequality and the overwhelming kindness of ordinary South Africans.
Ultimately, he hopes this bold demonstration will empower marginalised communities to become active participants in solving the housing crisis rather than waiting decades for government assistance.
At the same time, he looks forward to raising the necessary funds to pursue Harvard’s prestigious Master’s in Design Engineering programme. Once equipped with that knowledge, he plans to return and help families living in informal settlements design and build safer, more dignified homes.
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