Homeless man wants his shack back from museum

IN an extraordinary twist, a Nelson Mandela Bay man has discovered that the humble shack he grew up in has become a museum piece – while he is living out on the street.

For those who view it in its present locale, the corrugated iron shack – which forms part of the Red Location Museum in New Brighton – is an exhibit which reflects on a poignant legacy of poverty still faced by many South Africans today.

But for Themba Adams, 36, this was the actual home he grew up in from birth, and now the homeless and unemployed man – who did some jail time – wants to move back in. Adams was distraught this week when he was turned away from the shack after trying to move back in with all his worldly belongings.

"This is my home and I don't care what they've done with it," he said.

"I am sick and tired of being kicked out like a dog from people's houses when my home is used as a display for the museum.

"I have nowhere to go and I am not here to cause any trouble, but I am tired of being made a fool of by councillors." - Yoliswa Sobuwa