How a homeless car guard saved his coins to study Law and raise the bar for himself

Would you act on legal advice from a homeless car guard? Donning the ubiquitous neon vest, Malixole Sikhungo spent years assisting drivers in Cape Town. His humble job was a step up from his previous life of sleeping on the streets, scratching in bins for food and begging for money. But for Sikhungo, it was still miles away from his dream – to practise as a lawyer. So how does a man on the street go on to defy every stereotype and get to where he is today? “This is my journey to realising my true potential,” Sikhungo says.

After completing high school, a young Sikhungo left his homeland in the Eastern Cape in search of job opportunities in a bigger city. But like many South Africans, he instead became one of the estimated 200 000 people living on the streets. After four years in and out of shelters, Sikhungo saw a poster for a rehabilitation programme by U-turn Homeless Ministries, a non-profit that uplifts unhoused people. He joined in 2008 and soon found a network of encouragement and support, as well as his first job as a parking marshal at St Stephens Bible Church. Relient on the value of the tips that people choose to give, if they do at all, a car guard’s income can be meagre. But what may seem like small change to most was the beginning of something big for Sikhungo. “I started saving up the coins I received to go back to school and complete my studies to be a lawyer,” he says. After improving his Grade 12 results, Sikhungo enrolled for a Bachelor’s of Law at the University of South Africa. “In between guarding cars, I returned to my books,” he says. “It was tough but I always kept my eyes on the prize which is obtaining my LLB degree.” Sikhungo secured a job as a paralegal at Dommisse Attorneys by day while studying and guarding cars at night and on Sundays. After years of honest work and dedication, his efforts paid off. “I recently graduated with 10 distinctions,” he says. 

In 2022, Sikhungo joined the U-turn team as their communications officer and has since been invited by local newspapers to write regular opinion columns to discuss homelessness. “With my knowledge and experience, now I’m helping others,” he says. “I do this by suggesting solutions to the homelessness issue to residents, corporate organisations and schools and to the homeless themselves.” His proposals include prioritising long-term solutions over short-term handouts, and considering how bylaws and legislation serves to exacerbate homelessness. Acknowledging that both housed and unhoused people are affected and share the same desire to have people off the streets, Sikhungo is encouraging every citizen to play their part. It all starts with acknowledging each other as people first, not their circumstance or job. “Being homeless is unfortunately something that a person experiences, but it doesn’t define who they are,” he says. “I don’t want my experience to be in vain. I want to share my story so even residents are inspired to start believing in a homeless person.” Take it from this lawyer whose knowledge goes beyond the bar – uplifting each member of our community starts the moment we see potential over poverty.