Written by Susan Meyer

We got to know Lawrence Arendse through Charmaine, our late domestic worker. He lives in Capricorn, an informal settlement near Muizenberg, and stops by occasionally for groceries or a bit of help. Lawrence never exploits our support. Somehow, he manages to look dignified even when he is carrying bags of cans, I observed. He is quiet, respectful, and never entitled. “I just come by when I really need help,” he once said.

Scars from the start
Born in 1975 in Bishop Lavis, Lawrence grew up in a crowded home with his mother, stepfather, siblings, and extended family. He never knew his father. His stepfather, he says, “was strict, but not unfair”. Lawrence’s first scars came at age two, when boiling water burnt his head and upper body. Doctors told his mother he might never progress beyond grade 3. “In the event, I was an average learner at school,” he says.

A stand for fairness
He was a teacher’s pet in primary school, especially under Mrs Damons, who “took extra trouble to ensure learners understood the work”. But high school was impersonal. After a confrontation with a teacher, Lawrence left school in grade 10. “The teacher caned all the boys for being late, but when a pretty girl came in even later, she was not punished. I challenged the teacher and said it was unfair. The teacher exploded in a rage, chased me out, and I never went back.”

Street years and hard lessons
Lawrence’s early adult life was turbulent. He worked at a fish wholesaler, moved in with a woman whose husband was in prison, and later returned to live with his mother. At 19, his mother stabbed him for drinking her beer. “Afterwards, I teased her that I would report her to the police, because I could see she was anxious about such a possibility.” At 21, he was beaten with a sjambok after insulting a man. “The more he tried to calm me down, the more onbeskof (rude) I became.”

Nine years on the streets
He spent nine years living on the streets as a stroller. He scavenged, stole copper pipes, and was jailed for six months for theft. “I was very happy when I was released. I never wanted to return.” He had a tumultuous love life, including a deep relationship with Celeste, who died young. “She had me in the palm of her hand,” he said. Fights, stabbings, and near-death experiences were common. “If I get involved, I am the first one to get hurt,” he says.

Respect at work, relapse in drink
Despite the chaos in his own life, Lawrence showed compassion to others. He helped friends like Potlood and Peter in their final days. He also worked hard when given the chance. At a fireproofing company, he rose to supervisor and earned the respect of his manager, MJ. “He didn’t treat me like his boy, he treated me with respect, as a colleague.” But Lawrence’s drinking led to his dismissal in 2017. “I started to drink more and more with people I knew from work.”

Charmaine’s steadying love
Charmaine, whom he met in 2007, brought stability. “She came along and made a difference in my life. I calmed down after I met her. If it was not for her, I would have been dead already or lost an eye or something like that.” They lived together for 11 years, rescuing animals and supporting each other. She was diagnosed with cancer in 2015 and died in 2019. Her death was a turning point. Lawrence gave up alcohol for good in 2021 after a dangerous incident with a drinking companion. “This isn’t going to work out,” he told himself. “You are going to get hurt.” He joined a church and found peace and purpose in Jesus Christ. His faith is strong, “The Lord makes a way where there is no way.”

A new way forward
He now lives in a wendy house in Capricorn, helping his landlady and maintaining order in the yard. He earns a living by cleaning cars and scavenging. “Some days there is nothing. But sometimes you pick up valuable things that you can fix and resell.” He is respected in the community, known for his honesty and helpfulness. “People should not put us all in the same boat,” he says of bin pickers. He regrets not being a better son to his mother. “Alcohol held me down where it wanted me to be. I was in its grip day to day.”

Fire, loss, and rebuilding
In 2024, tragedy struck again. Gangsters firebombed the yard where he lives, destroying all the informal homes. Lawrence lost everything and sat for a long time in shocked silence. It was there that the Lord met him, using his pastor and church community to help him rebuild and find hope again. “If you are good to people, it comes back to you. When the fire happened, I nearly lost all hope. But the kindness of my pastor and others gave me courage.” Later that year, his girlfriend Rolene died, and he lost his job after an armed robbery at the car dealership where he worked.

Hope that holds
Despite these blows, Lawrence remains positive and faith filled, putting his full trust in Jesus to protect him and to provide opportunities. He has a new relationship with Agnes and continues to attend church each week, embedding himself in the Body of Christ. “Don’t write me off,” he says. My story goes on. I have faith that good things are coming.”

*This is a summarised version of Lawrence’s testimony. If you would like to read the full feature and learn more, please reach out to Susan directly on susan@ortsacape.org.za.

This article is featured in the May 2026 issue of JOY! Magazine. Read a digital version of this magazine here: joygifts.co.za

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Date published: 01/05/2026
Feature images sourced from source

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