Thembisa Soup Kitchen celebrates Women’s Month

On August 15, the Thembisa 1632 Ward 11 Soup Kitchen Community Development Foundation celebrated Women’s Month with a lunch at the Ndayeni Shopping Centre in Thembisa.

Mothers who had benefited from the soup kitchen programme attended the event.

The objective of the occasion was based on dialogue and openness to replace barriers.

The programme has more than 12 volunteers who give their time to battle social problems with donations from kind people.

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According to executive member Muzi Mazibuko, they chose the area where they hosted the event because, previously, it was previously used for undesirable activities.

“We approached Ward 11 Clr Oriel Thoabala for permission to host a temporary soup kitchen.

“When we started this foundation, our goal was to keep old people and people with disabilities busy without feeling neglected, but we now accommodate everyone.

“We are the organisation that goes door-to-door, reaching out to those in need,” said Mazibuko.

Mazibuko said the foundation hoped to host a daily soup kitchen, but because they did not have enough sponsors, members must rely on their R350 Social Relief of Distress grant to buy food and other necessities.

Thoabala said he was grateful to celebrate Women’s Month with the elderly women.

As part of Women’s Month, one of the foundation’s members, Jabhile Mkhwanazi, said the soup kitchen was a reminder of the efforts to make women in their neighbourhood happy.

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“I know everyone here is happy because the last time we hosted something like this, we gave them blankets and food parcels.

“We are grateful for everyone’s support, and we will continue to welcome everyone without discrimination,” Mkhwanazi said.

Other stakeholders, including POWA, SASSA, Nedbank, Home Affairs, The Thembisan, Barloworld, IEC, and many others, joined them in celebrating Women’s Month.

Lillian Hlongwane, the Ward 11 member for women and children, said women were the most important beings in the world.

“As we all know, women face many challenges and are often afraid to seek help. Now they can come to the soup kitchen and ask for assistance or someone to talk to.

“We also have social workers in our ward who are there to help,” said Hlongwane.

According to Ward 11 social worker Gopolang Lebwaba, if anyone needed to see a professional, she would be there to help.

She mostly dealt with women and their concerns, such as abuse or grandchildren abusing their grandparents.

Nnwambi Tshilidzi from the Gauteng Department of Health said everyone should take care of themselves by visiting local clinics to be tested for chronic diseases.

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During his address, he focused on what elderly people could eat and how they should take care of themselves to avoid becoming ill.

“Clinics are open from 08:00 to 16:00, Monday to Friday, and everyone is welcome to visit the local clinics,’ said Tshilidzi.