Feeding the hungry is what Vicky Matlabe does best.
The Alexandra resident said when her restaurant in Orange Grove closed its doors eight years ago, she had it in her heart to continue to support those in need of food.
She is now the chief cook for many destitute children and residents in the Alexandra area, who rely on her food and support.
Matlabe told her story to the Gazette, relating that she was a 66-year-old widow who had three children who had all sadly passed away. She has two grandchildren living in Alexandra. She refers to herself as ‘a woman who is passionate about assisting the disadvantaged and vulnerable people in the community’.
“I started serving people in need many years ago. They would come to my restaurant which was based in Orange Grove, asking for leftovers. I eventually decided to cook extra to provide food for them and also the homeless children, and for contractors who would sit at the side of the road looking for piece jobs on a daily basis to support themselves and their families.”
When her restaurant closed down, she made a decision to continue to serve those in need.
She added that the high rate of unemployment in and around her community, and the children wandering around the streets with empty stomachs, continued to touch her heart and mobilised her into action. Furthermore, she said she had noticed a growing need for people such as herself to step up and embrace those in need in the community since the start of the pandemic.
“In one incident, I was doing outreach work and the food ran out. There was such a need among those who had gathered to get food that a fight broke out, and my heart was deeply distressed.”
Businesses and residents who can help with the feeding scheme through the donation of food and resources, can contact her on 082 506 6958 or vickysmatlabe@gmail.com
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