Ex-beggar gives up second chance returns to street.

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'How a homeless man taught me to be grateful' A beggar who was helped by a News24 user to get a job, has gone back to the streets.


Several months ago, News24 ran the story of Joseph Phukubje, a bright, homeless young man who had for months stood at a Sandton traffic light with his CV at hand, begging for a job.

Phukubje had caught the eye of a Good Samaritan, Pamela Green, who took to Facebook and called for assistance to get him a job, a place to stay, and get off drugs.

Job and bursary offers poured in and within days, Phukubje had landed a job at a company called Locomute in Midrand, as well as a furnished apartment and a second chance at life.

On Friday, however, Green announced on Facebook that he had given it all up and returned to his life on the streets.

'Today the dream ended'

Green said she knew something was amiss when she tried to contact Phukubje on Wednesday and found his phone was off. She later went to his workplace and was told that he had not been at work all week.

"I immediately started worrying and tried to call his phone which was still off," she told News24.
She and Phukubje's bosses went to his apartment where they found evidence that the youngster - who had made a vow to turn his back on his old life - had in fact lied, and was still using drugs.
News 24.

Green said this was not the first time he had relapsed.

In the last two months, he has relapsed twice. The first time he pleaded with Green and his employer to take him back, which they did.

But on Friday Green wrote on her Facebook page, in the group titled Pam Green #SecondChances: "Today the dream ended.

"It is with the heaviest heart and tears in my eyes that I am writing this. Joseph's actions have lead him back to his previous life choice. He has left the home given to him, and he is once again homeless and unemployed.

“Our hearts are broken, and I sit here, still hoping that one day he will choose a healthier future for himself," she wrote