1 260 meals per week for community
KYA SAND – The real spirit of ubuntu resides in the heart of Mama Matlakila.
The spirit of ubuntu echoes through Matlakila Mokena, affectionately known as Mama Matlakila.
As one woman in a community of thousands, she really impacts her community in the right way.
Having gone through a tough childhood herself, Mama Matlakila knows what it is like to go hungry.
She now cooks for some of the residents in the Pipeline Informal Settlement in Kya Sand.
With food that is donated by Judah Africa Church each Friday, she cooks over 1 260 meals per week.
Her day typically starts at around 7am, when she rises early to begin prepping the meals.
Mama Matlakila makes sure the children-headed homes, orphans and the sick and elderly and workers have a full tummy.
She explained how, when she was younger, she and her family were helped by the community.
Mama Matlakila speaks Sotho and Nonhlanhla Mosebi kindly acted as an interpreter.
“I am cooking for my community because I want to give back. I was helped as a child and want to pay the blessings back,” said Mama Matlakila.
“I organise the kitchen and the meals every day and I usually finish at 3pm from Monday to Friday.”
In her spare time, she trains volunteers on how to cook and produce amazing meals for people in the settlement.
“The people here are so lucky to have Mama here with us,” said Mosebi.
