A homeless man got a much-needed makeover on the streets of the Cape Flats this week after he was paint-bombed by naughty laaities on Guy Fawkes.
Uncle Calvin, 64, originally from Parkwood, has been homeless for 23 years and currently stands at the robots on the corner of Hyde Road and Prince George Drive.
Good Samaritan Phinius Sebatsane spotted the elderly man on 9 November with a few specks of dried paint in his hair.
“His hair and beard was full of paint and he was asking for money to cut it. He said some people smeared paint on him last week,” says Phinius.
Uncle Calvin explains: “You see the laaities carry buckets of paint and they put it in plastics and they came with that and threw it.”
Phinius decided to treat the man to a haircut and says he nearly tjanked his eyes out when he showed the oupa his new look.
“To see him smiling made my day.
“Homeless people are like diamonds that just need to be shined up.”
When Uncle Calvin was asked how he felt after his fresh fader, he told the Daily Voice: “I feel so that I could lift my head and open my eyes. I haven’t seen myself like this for over 20 years.(sic)”
Phinius runs the Rea Thusana Foundation in Capricorn, which hopes to end homelessness.
“As an organisation, we are looking to provide a safe house for the homeless.
“So, if anyone can assist us with a building, that would be much appreciated.”
The good Samaritan returned to the robots yesterday to give Uncle Calvin a pair of shoes.
Meanwhile, Calvin says he needs to apply for his ID document so that he can get pension.
He says despite his smart new chiskop, he won’t be standing at the robots, flashing a confident smile to get the green light from the ladies.
“You see these girls around here are married and they don’t want me,” he says.
“They are married and they don’t want me to interfere in their married lives.”
If you would like to assist the Rhea Foundation, contact Phineas at [email protected] or 063 936 7926.
Robyn Frost | [email protected]