Alex Swartz, who has lived experience of homelessness, will run 21 km in the inaugural Nelson Mandela Marathon this morning, Sunday 18 October, under the banner of Stride To Survive. 

The run forms part of a 21-day challenge in which Alex has been running or walking every day to raise awareness about homelessness in Cape Town and encourage donations towards support services that help people rebuild their lives. 

Alex knows first-hand that leaving the street is only the beginning. 

His own journey towards reintegration has involved confronting personal challenges, accepting support and working towards a different future. 

Through the City’s network of care, he has accessed free, structured support to help him develop the skills, confidence and experience needed to work towards independence. 

The journey from rough sleeping to reintegration is complex and takes time. It is for this reason that the City has launched the Stride To Survive campaign to raise awareness about rough sleeping and encourage residents to donate to shelters and organisations providing structured support. 

Residents are encouraged to Give Responsibly by supporting interventions that bring together the City, shelters, partner organisations and residents to provide coordinated, dignity-led and person-centred support to people experiencing homelessness. 

Through this network, people living on the street, like Alex, can access free services aimed at supporting their journey towards reintegration and sustainable independence. 

Responsible donations help people access immediate support, including hot meals, safe places to sleep and warm showers, as well as longer-term interventions such as counselling, rehabilitation, life-skills development and skills training. 

‘Alex’s challenge is a powerful reminder that leaving the street is rarely a single step. When residents support shelters and organisations providing structured services, their generosity can help meet immediate needs while also supporting counselling, rehabilitation, skills development and a pathway towards greater independence. I encourage Capetonians to Give Responsibly and support interventions that help people move forward with dignity,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham. 

People living on the street can walk up to 21 km a day in search of food, work, social services and safe places to sleep. 

This reality inspired Stride To Survive.

For Alex, the 21-day challenge is about more than covering the distance. It is an opportunity to use his own experience to show that there are people and places that want to help, to raise awareness, and to show what can be possible when people receive the support and opportunities they need to rebuild their lives. 

Alex also hopes to encourage others experiencing homelessness to believe that change is possible. 

‘Even if it’s one life that I can change with this campaign, that will be more than enough for me,’ said Alex. 

Alex’s journey is a reminder that lasting change takes time, personal commitment and a network of support. By supporting shelters and the services around them, residents can help create pathways towards dignity, reintegration and independence. 

Follow the campaign on the City of Cape Town’s social media platforms, or follow Alex’s story on Instagram @alexsean.swartz and TikTok @alexsean.swartz.

Residents can support the initiative by donating to registered organisations and shelters in and around the city. 

For more information, please visit www.capetown.gov.za/homeless. 

For more information about City services, please go to People sleeping rough on the streets in Cape Town | City of Cape Town or Shelters | City of Cape Town. 

#StrideToSurvive #GiveResponsibly #CityOfCapeTown