14-07-2025
COPESSA unveils innovative portable shelter Biyela to aid the homeless and restore dignity
When Nthabiseng Nale fled an abusive marriage, she had nothing - no job, no support, and nowhere to turn. Today, she's part of a sisterhood transforming pain into purpose through a remarkable initiative called Biyela.
Launched by Community-based Organisation for the Prevention of Violence Against Children and Gender-based Violence (COPESSA), Biyela is more than a warm, multifunctional jacket for the homeless - it's a symbol of healing, crafted by women rebuilding their lives one stitch at a time.
The portable shelter is aimed at providing warmth, protection, and a sense of belonging for individuals living on the streets. The garment serves as a jacket, raincoat, bag, and sleeping bag all in one, making it a versatile lifesaver for the homeless and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
Dr Nobs Mwanda, CEO of COPESSA, described the essence of the Biyela project, highlighting how it seeks to assist those without shelter and combat various social ills.
'The launch is really to put out the concept of this project, what it can do and how it can assist with all sorts of social ills, particularly those who do not have shelter. Homelessness is one of them,' Dr Mwanda stated in an interview with the Saturday Star .
Dr Mwanda emphasised that the perception of homelessness is often misguided. 'People often picture the homeless as young people who ran away from home because they are naughty, but there is more to it. It could be you; it could be me. For instance, if you are in a relationship and something goes wrong, you can be pushed into homelessness overnight, left without a roof over your head,' he highlighted.
Beyond its immediate utility, the Biyela is also positioned as a tool for disaster relief, with hopes that organisations involved in emergency management will see the value in purchasing the garment to aid their efforts.
'We hope that we can have a South Africa that affords everyone dignity,' Dr Mwanda said.
'How can you have dignity when you have no food on your table, when you have no shelter? These are just the basic needs according to Maslow's hierarchy. That is my greatest hope: to create a society where people can uphold their dignity and do not resort to violence as a means to solve their problems.'
Central to the Biyela initiative are the Women of Worth sewing circle, a group of women reclaiming their lives after fleeing abusive situations.
These resilient women have turned their tragic experiences into a force for good, actively participating in the creation of the Biyela shelters.
For women like Nale, the project has been life-changing. She shared her journey from being a victim of gender-based violence to a beacon of hope for others.
'I joined COPESSA after my marriage fell apart, and I was seeking mental health care,' recalled Nale.
'I was hurt, unemployed, and frustrated. Thanks to COPESSA for providing such programmes to vulnerable communities. I have achieved a certificate in gender-based violence knowledge and am now proud to share the message that abuse is not a solution.'
With the Biyela, she hopes to extend a lifeline to the homeless, providing them with not just a means of shelter but a multifaceted tool for survival: 'To provide the homeless with shelter, jackets, and raincoats which can be used as their grocery package because the bag is all in one. Aiming to practically provide the vulnerable with the means to escape violence.'
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Saturday Star
