A taste of Christmas spirit at Durban Meal of Reconciliation

FOR many, the festive season is a time to give to charity and care for those on the outskirts of society. On Friday, December 16, the Denis Hurley Centre offers residents a chance to get to know one of the most vulnerable and marginalised groups in Durban – the homeless community.

The annual Meal of Reconciliation, held at the centre, is a time for communities of different faiths and backgrounds to come together.

Director of the Centre, Raymond Perrier, said the Day of Reconciliation originated in Durban a few decades ago.

“In the 1980s, the Diakonia Council of Churches started the idea of taking the Day of the Vow and reimagining it. And they coined the phrase, ‘Day of Reconciliation.’ It started in Durban, spread around the country and became official in 1994,” he said.

The Meal of Reconciliation at the centre offers the broader Durban community an opportunity to get to know the homeless community.
“It’s a time for all of us to share time, space and food with each other. This time of year brings out the generosity in people, and we hope that means reaching out to people we don’t normally spend time with – that means homeless people but also people of other faiths, backgrounds or generations. A meal is the best way to get to know somebody. You sit down and find out what you have in common rather than what divides you,” he said.

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Perrier added that food at the meal will be provided by the religious community with kosher, Halaal, vegetarian and meat options. Visitors attending the meal are asked to bring desserts or cooldrinks to add to the table, where possible.

Performers put homeless in the spotlight

The performing arts community are always great supporters of the work of the Denis Hurley Centre – and many actors and singers take time out of their busy festive schedules to attend this event. Among them is opera singer Nozuko Teto, who will be performing the national anthem on the day as well as a few Christmas carols. The singer hopes her performance will help to lift people’s spirits at the event.

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“As we enter the festive season, we hope to help restore the homeless community’s hope, for them to know they are not alone. There are centres like this one and people outside this centre who care,” said Teto. “I encourage the community to come through and to get to know the centre, beyond the reconciliation meal – to find out what help they can offer,” she added.

Teto sang in a concert of light classical and Christmas music, Joy to the World, at the Durban Jewish Centre on Sunday, December 11 at 15:00.

Joining Teto was Roland Perold who volunteered on the day.

“It’s wonderful to be back onstage after Covid-19. It’s made us realise, as performers, the community we are, and it’s great for us to be involved in this community, to come together after this tough time,” he said.

Perold and Godfrey Johnson are two of the cabaret’s most consummate and quirky performers – they take to the stage in The Good News Cabaret at the Rhumbelow Theatre from December 15 to 31. Also attending the meal of reconciliation is Blessing Xaba who plays the Dame in KickstArt’s fabulous annual family panto, Jack and the Beanstalk, taking place at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre from December 8 to January 15.

The Dennis Hurley Centre is located at 2 Cathedral Road, Durban Central. For more information, call 031 301 2240.