Residents assist in feeding 300 for Mandela month

Bedfordview residents Mona and Vis Naidoo supported a food initiative in collaboration with HopeSA, Thava Restaurant and Chef Philippe Frydman this Mandela Month.

HopeSA provided food at three locations, Brixton, Tembisa and Randfontein, feeding 1 000 people in total, with Mona and Vis donating money to the cause and assisting in handing out meals in Brixton on July 18.

“We decided this year to support Chef Philippe, as he has been feeding the hungry since the inception of lockdown,” said Vis.

In Brixton, they served 300 people meals and handed out blankets and food parcels to 67 families.

“We assisted the HopeSA family with anything they needed.

“We wanted to be part of the action and see first-hand what this initiative is achieving,” said Vis.

Mona said it was not just about donating money, but about being on the ground with the people who need help.

“It was great to go out and do something that fulfills you.

“This is why we connected with this initiative, as it is people who are not sitting back, but are going out and making a difference,” said Mona.

Due to the pandemic, she said the initiative was done a bit differently than expected.

“Its weird standing there with a mask and not seeing the faces of the people you are giving food to.

“It felt strange not being able to reach out and give the children and elderly a hug,” said Mona.

Despite this, Vis and Mona were extremely proud of the outcome.

“It was great to make a difference where we can, and it’s comforting to know there are people and organisations that are doing this every day,” said Vis.

Mona said the meals handed out were duck biryani.

“It was the first time I had ever tasted duck biryani. It was definitely delicious and a feast for all,” she said.

Vis added biryani was the perfect direction to ensure everyone had a meal.

In the past, Mona said they were involved in the education perspective of Mandela Month, whereas this year the pandemic moved them to become involved in a feeding scheme.

“People are literally starving, and it has impacted lives tremendously, and it definitely influenced us this year,” she said.

For Mona, it has been her mission to fulfill Nelson Mandela’s legacy of building a country of our dreams.

“This initiative reminded us, things may be difficult, but it’s the little things we each do that can fulfill Mandela’s legacy,” she said.