Steam rises from a 130-litre pot of Akni as volunteers serve warm meals at a local soup kitchen. The Nakhlistan Eid food drive helps children and families who queue patiently, grateful for a hot meal in the final days of Ramadan.
The Nakhlistan Eid food drive aims to prepare 185 pots of the traditional mixed-rice dish to feed communities across Cape Town.
Thousands to benefit from akni campaign
Nakhlistan plans to feed more than 95 000 residents on the eve of Eid ul Fitr. So far, sponsors have funded 169 pots. However, 16 pots are still needed to reach the target.
Akni is an aromatic rice dish similar to pilau or biryani. Cooks prepare it with marinated minced meat, chicken or lamb, potatoes and spices. All ingredients cook together in large pots.
Volunteers serve communities across the city
Meanwhile, volunteers cook and distribute meals across multiple neighbourhoods. These include Woodstock, Manenberg, Bonteheuwel, Gugulethu, Lentegeur, Valhalla Park, Eastridge, Macassar and Franschhoek. Meals also reach several mosques and community feeding schemes.
In addition, teams served soup during the five probable Nights of Qadr, a sacred period in the last 10 nights of Ramadan.
Week four food distributions
During week four, the Nakhlistan Eid food drive distributed essential food items. These included dates, bread, polony, soup greens, soup mix and soup bones.
Beneficiary sites included:
- Bonteheuwel Modderdam High School
- Lentegeur Mass Iftaar
- Belgravia Vlei
- Hanover Park
- Valhalla Park
- Angel Community Outreach
- Eastridge Iegwaaniyah
- Callies RFC Macassar
- House of Grace
- Kalksteenfontein Masjid
- Al Muneer Feeding Scheme
- Franschhoek Masjid
- Gugulethu
- Sakhile Educare
- Bonteheuwel Islamic
- Youth Movement Mass Boeka
- Manenberg Mass Boeka
Ramadan giving and Eid ul Fitr explained
Eid ul Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting, reflection and gratitude. Families gather for prayer, meals and charity.
Muslims practise several forms of giving during this period. As a result, faith and community support work hand in hand.
- Fitrah : mandatory donation to the needy at Ramadan’s end
- Zakaah : annual contribution to support the poor
- Sadaqah : voluntary charity given at any time
- Fidyah: compensation for missed fasts, often used to feed the poor
- Lillaah: giving purely for the sake of Allah
Through the Nakhlistan Eid food drive, these spiritual practices become practical community support.
Food access is a human right
Fatima Allie, liaison officer for Nakhlistan, highlighted the campaign’s significance.
“It is poignant that this year Eid ul Fitr and Human Rights Day in South Africa fall on the same day. Access to food is a basic human right, yet millions cannot exercise it. Organisations like Nakhlistan serve the needy throughout the year, especially on Eid ul Fitr,” she said.
43 years of serving with dignity
Rashida Mowzer, chairperson of Nakhlistan, said the organisation’s mission remains rooted in service.
“Nakhlistan is about sharing and caring. After 43 years of cooking large pots of food for Eid ul Fitr, we realise we were created to serve humanity. We assist the needy with dignity, respect and kindness,” she said.
She thanked donors, businesses, sponsors and volunteers for their continued support.
“Nakhlistan thrives through the mercy of our Creator and generous supporters. Continue to share and care with Nakhlistan throughout the year.”
How residents can support
The Nakhlistan Eid food drive still needs sponsorship for 16 pots of Akni.
Residents can contribute at 45 Murton Road, Rylands Estate or through the organisation’s website.
Through food, volunteering and community support, the initiative shows that giving extends beyond Ramadan. Consequently, these acts continue to unite communities in care and generosity.
