Duncan Village resident Noxolo Mathetha was the latest beneficiary of a charity drive organised by food brand Iwisa No 1, which has partnered with Gift of the Givers to assist various soup kitchens in the Eastern Cape.

Picture: SUPPLIED
Mathetha has been involved with feeding her community for a long time.
She started out by working in her church’s vegetable garden, growing produce with other residents which would then be donated to the needy.
Her current soup kitchen project feeds between 250 and 300 people every day.
For many, it’s the only meal they get each day.
“I can’t explain the joy it gives me to see smiles on the children’s faces after getting their meal from our kitchen.
“They get to eat and have the energy they need to grow, learn and play,” Mathetha said.
Mathetha said she also had plans to establish an after-school sports programme for local teenagers.
“Young people in the community have nothing to do; this leads to many of them abusing drugs and alcohol or getting pregnant at a young age.
“So we would like to provide them with something productive to keep them busy,” she said.
To help Mathetha in her efforts, Premier FMCG marketing executive Sibongile Mooko said the company would help provide her kitchen with much-needed food and supplies.
“We are committed to building strong communities and empowering individuals such as Mathetha by offering our support at this difficult time,” she said.
Mooko said Covid-19 had hit families in under-resourced communities through the loss of primary breadwinners or income due to the ongoing lockdown.
In addition to food, Mooka said the company would also supply utensils.
“As a company, it gives us great pleasure to support these incredible women and the work they do for their communities,” Mooka said.