Landmark shelter offers refuge to men in crisis in South Africa

A new shelter aimed at providing support to vulnerable men, including victims of gender-based violence, has been officially opened in Sea Cow Lake, South Africa. The One Stop Foundation Men’s Shelter, situated at 226 Centre Road, was launched on Friday, October 30, with eThekwini mayor, Cyril Xaba, attending the formal ceremony at Lakehaven Secondary School. The facility was established by transforming a family home into a shelter.

The shelter aims to address a gap in services available to men experiencing abuse, homelessness, trauma, and other difficult circumstances. Services at the facility include temporary accommodation, basic necessities, counselling and emotional support, medical assistance, rehabilitation, fatherhood and family restoration programmes, skills development, and reintegration into society. The foundation intends to work with social workers and other stakeholders to provide necessary support to residents.

Foundation founder, Dayalan Odayar, said the initiative was driven by his desire to help vulnerable men regain their independence and become productive members of their families and communities. He said the foundation wanted to give men a purpose and prevent them from walking out there with no purpose in life. Plans are also underway to establish a greenhouse where men can receive practical skills training.

Mayor Cyril Xaba described the shelter as an important intervention in addressing social challenges affecting communities, including homelessness, substance abuse, and violence. He said efforts to combat gender-based violence should not only focus on reactive measures but also include interventions that address underlying social problems and provide support and rehabilitation.

Mayor Xaba commended Odayar and his team for establishing the facility, highlighting the importance of partnerships between government, civil society, faith-based organisations, and the private sector in addressing social challenges. He said the facility was designed to be a sanctuary for healing, reflection, and psychological transformation.

Ward councillor, Allen Peterson, said the shelter would provide men experiencing difficult circumstances with access to support through the Department of Social Development and other relevant stakeholders. He said men often concealed their struggles because of societal expectations that they should remain strong and deal with their problems without seeking assistance.

The foundation's broader vision is to expand the initiative beyond Durban and establish similar interventions elsewhere. Men seeking assistance can contact the One Stop Foundation on 091-577-8255, 081-569-7149, or 065-896-1570, or email [email protected] . The shelter provides a safe space for men to seek help without fear of judgement.

Key points

• The shelter offers a range of services, including temporary accommodation, counselling, and rehabilitation programmes.