Meals for Mandela Day
In celebration of the late president Nelson Mandela's birthday, numerous organisations and ordinary citizens across the globe give back to communities and the vulnerable society Thursday July 18.
The day honours Madiba by encouraging organisations, communities and individuals to actively make a difference in their communities by giving 67 minutes of their time.
Harare library and Mbizana Soup Kitchen joined thousands as they prepared hearty food and soup for grannies from the community.
Founder and director of Mbizana, Nokuzola Mabinza, said the day provides an opportunity for people to recognise their individual power and to make an imprint on the world around them.
Ms Mabinza said the soup kitchen provided at least one decent meal to those who are unable to provide for themselves. She said through their work they wanted to redeem the dignity and integrity of black people.
“We dish three times a week. Today we were able to cook food that comes with meat, thanks to the donor, because we normally cook food that does not have meat. We feel that we need to do something on this day as well. We do not have much at the moment and the best that we can do is to cook for these people and give them food that is prepared from a loving heart. We are going to start knitting and making blankets and we hope that by next year July we will be done,” she said.
Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), terminal manager, Musumzi Matiwane, said as part of honouring the Mandela Day they sponsored the soup kitchen with R10 000. He said he understands that this might be a drop in the ocean.
Harare senior librarian, Phimdile Memani, said they wanted to show love and appreciation to senior citizens. He said senior citizens are often not made to feel valued and part of the community, so they felt the need to serve them with lunch and cake.
A representative of Spar, Aviwe Ntlombeni, said the retailer had donated the cake and soup. She said that when the library approached them about their intention to host a Mandela Day event for seniors they quickly jumped on board.