The children of a Langa businessman say they are honouring their late father's memory by feeding the needy in the community.

On Wednesday last week, siblings Dade Bam, Nombeko Bam-Mdingi and Sango Bam and volunteers Vatiswa Macingwane and Nomzamo Foji were making pots of food for the needy at the Bam family home.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Sango Bam said his father, Mzikayise Bam, who died in 1987, had always told them to never abandon needy people.

He said he and his siblings had agreed to keep their father’s dream of helping others alive.

“My father was a very generous person. He is known here for his pure heart. All the 11 children of his are aware of his work in the community. That is why we are continuing with this without any sponsor. We dig deep into our pockets for this. We are keeping the legacy. This is a gesture from us as siblings."

Mr Bam said they had been serving meals to the community for the past 17 years.

“We started with about 50 people coming once a week, but with unemployment and poverty growing, the numbers soared unexpectedly. On a poor day, we feed close to 200 people, but normally the number goes up to 400 a day. But because of the big numbers, we have now decided to feed people once or twice a month,” he said.

Sisters Dade and Nombeko said they had seen the impact of poverty on children and families in Langa. The also provide clothing to children and parents in need of it.

“We try to give back to the community and keep our father’s legacy alive. All we do is leave warm hearts in our community. We are happy that we have something to give,” said Nombeko.

Dade said poverty was growing in the community: more children went to school hungry and in unsuitable clothes, she said.

Among those who came for food was a woman who only gave her name as Nobuntu. She said she had relied on the soup kitchen since 2019 and had never been disappointed.

“These children are real. They have stuck to what their father used to do. It is rare to find such a united family like this one. As you see from the queues, we depend on them for food. My wish is for them to get more blessings,” she said.

Volunteer Nomzamo Foji preparing a pot of food.

Dade Bam, Nombeko Bam-Mdingi, Vatiswa Macingwabe and Sango Bam making sure that all is well in the kitchen.

The Bam siblings together with volunteers ready to serve the community.

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Siblings feed the needy in memory of their father