Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has officially endorsed the ‘Mi-change’ cashless giving initiative, a new digital platform designed to provide meaningful support to individuals experiencing homelessness this winter. Launched on 8 July 2026, the programme allows members of the public to purchase R15 digital vouchers via the SnapScan mobile payment platform.
Support Through Targeted Assistance
These vouchers can be redeemed at participating U-turn and MES centres, where recipients can access essential services such as cooked meals, emergency shelter, clothing, and professional support. By moving away from direct cash handouts, the initiative aims to connect vulnerable individuals directly with organisations capable of providing long-term pathways out of homelessness.
Mi-change is exactly the kind of innovative solution our city needs – one that goes beyond meeting an immediate need – it meaningfully helps those working to rebuild their lives. Every digital voucher represents a step forward, and every person donating becomes part of that rebuilding.
Alignment With The Give Dignity Campaign
The introduction of Mi-change aligns with the City of Cape Town’s existing ‘Give Dignity’ strategy, which discourages the practice of giving cash to people on the streets. Municipal officials have long maintained that direct cash donations can inadvertently perpetuate cycles of dependency and substance abuse, rather than providing the structural assistance required for rehabilitation.
The city policy stresses that sustainable solutions are best facilitated through registered non-profit and public benefit organisations that offer work-readiness programmes and social support. By centralising contributions through the tech-driven Mi-change system, the municipality seeks to ensure that public generosity is directed toward regulated services that provide tangible, measurable outcomes for those in need.
Further updates on the expansion of the Mi-change network and participation from additional NGOs are expected in the coming months.