Growing hope: Mustadafin Foundation cultivates food security in Khayelitsha

At a Mustadafin Foundation community garden in Khayelitsha, team members and residents learn practical gardening skills.

By cultivating strawberries, herbs, and root vegetables, the programme promotes food security while fostering self-sufficiency and community resilience.

World Food Day, observed annually on October 16, raises awareness about global hunger and food insecurity. In South Africa, nearly four million households face moderate to severe food insecurity, with limited access to sufficient, nutritious food for healthy living, said Ghairunisa Johnstone-Cassiem, director of Mustadafin Foundation.

Mustadafin Foundation is tackling this challenge not only through food relief but by equipping communities with sustainable, long-term solutions.

“In Khayelitsha, our gardening programme empowers individuals with the knowledge and tools to grow their own food. These gardens reduce dependency on external food sources while promoting healthier lifestyles and stronger communities,” said Ms Johnstone-Cassiem.

“The initiative is about more than food. It’s about building dignity, confidence, and long-term independence. Our aim is not just to feed people, but to equip them with the ability to feed themselves,” said Ms Johnstone-Cassiem.

As seeds take root and gardens flourish, they nurture a sense of hope and possibility.

For more information about Mustadafin Foundation and its work, or to get involved, call 021 633 0010 or visit www.mustadafin.org.za.