National food rescue and hunger relief organisation, SA Harvest celebrated Mandela Day last week by honouring 20 women from across the city who demonstrate the spirit of Mandela Day daily.
Among the women who rise many an early morning to cook and help feed their communities were Latifah Jacobs from Sunbird Park and Wandene Abrahams from Sarepta.
The community heroes were treated to a culinary experience at the Makers Landing Kitchen in the V&A Waterfront. Dressed in traditional attire and working with a UCook box of ingredients they spent the morning exploring new culinary techniques.
“We were honoured to celebrate these extraordinary women, their dedication, and love for their communities, which mirrors the spirit of Mandela Day,” said Ozzy Nel of SA Harvest.
“Their service is a testament to the power of community involvement in combating hunger. We were able to give them a morning of joy as an expression of our gratitude to them and in recognition of the selflessness of many other women and men who cook every day for the hungry in their communities.”
Each woman received a gift of a ride for two on the Cape Wheel, a gesture of appreciation for their daily efforts to uplift those around them. The best dressed participant won a prize from the Silo Hotel while the best meal was rewarded with a dining experience for two at the Den Anker Restaurant.
Supporting one another
Latifah Jacobs, founder of Aurorah Kuils River CAN (community action network) thanked SA Harvest for the spoils and acknowledging their efforts.
“(It was) 67 minutes of debriefing and just relaxing among like-minded people,” she says. Jacobs who (among many other endeavours) runs a soup kitchen from her home in Sunbird Park says her organisation has been very fortunate to receive support from SA Harvest “non-stop every week”.
Without this support they would not have been able to do what they do, she says.
“It is just the community getting together, helping one another – let’s face it, in all communities you get the one that is a little bit more ‘fluent’ than the others. We are assisting one another. That is beautiful – yes, it is Mandela Day, but we practice Mandela Day every day, 365 days.”
The past three years Jacobs would be the one doing the giving on Mandela Day but she knows being able to receive is part of the balance of life.
“For the last three years on Mandela Day we would go all-out. This year we made room for others to pay the way forward. I’m blown away by the response of people wanting to be part of positive change, growth and development,” Jacobs says.
“May we take the longing to be part of change not just on Mandela Day but for the rest of the 364 days that follow.”
While Mandela Day is a reminder that every person can make a difference, Jacobs’ wish is that it should become a way of living for all and not just some.
“I must say we have amazing people in our communities. One thing I love is when people think their contribution is little and I can prove to them how we can multiply that blessing.
Support can take many forms and does not have to be material.
“It can be you sharing our wish list or collecting preloved clothing from family and friends. It’s the little things in life that counts to us” Jacobs says.
A child who volunteered at Aurorah as part of a school project during the holiday made an impact on Jacobs.
“Her willingness to serve was just beautiful. We should encourage our children to be part of change from a young age in this manner as young adults they (will) make better life decisions.”
For Jacobs it‘s about giving that hand up, to uplift and unlock opportunities. Aurorah has never just been about feeding, she says.
“Just this (past) week we had five of our volunteers having awesome opportunities; one who received training for a new permanent job offer, another who started as a teachers aid and three who was excepted for a three-year programme with stipend at Northlink,” she says.
Contact Latifah Jacobs via WhatsApp on 071 589 3409.
