By Nontokozo Gemani
- Gugu Nhlengethwa runs a Tsakane feeding initiative, giving vulnerable children and families food, shoes and stationery on weekends and holidays.
- When there is nothing left to give, the organisation has no choice but to turn hungry children and families away.
Gugu Nhlengethwa spends her weekends and school holidays making sure children in Tsakane do not go hungry.
She runs Feed a Child, Feed a Nation from Tsakane Extension 8 in Ekurhuleni, an initiative that gives food and school essentials to vulnerable children and families. She started it after she saw children in Tsakane going hungry, especially when school was closed.
The organisation is sometimes forced to turn children away when it has nothing to offer them.
“Our aim is to revive hope and ensure that no family goes hungry while waiting for assistance. Every donation, no matter how small, makes a meaningful difference in someone’s life,” she said.
On 6 and 7 September, the initiative handed out 50 food hampers to vulnerable families and school children in Tsakane. In July, learners attending extra classes were given sandwiches, snacks, drinks and pens.
Mbongeni Mgugudu Secondary School and Tsakane Ext 8 Secondary School have also received school shoes and socks through the initiative.
Dr Matshidiso Sello, a senior researcher at the University of Johannesburg’s Centre for Social Development in Africa, said school feeding programmes do not cover weekends and holidays, leaving some children without access to what may be their most nutritious meal.
She said proper nutrition is important for children’s health and learning, as poor nutrition can affect their concentration, memory and energy levels.
Professor Refilwe Phaswana-Mafuya, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation at the University of Johannesburg, said research shows a strong link between proper nutrition and academic performance.
“Hungry learners can struggle to concentrate, participate in class and reach their full academic potential,” she said.
Well-nourished learners are more likely to attend school regularly and perform better academically, according to the research.
The initiative relies on donations from organisations including Yahweh Ubuntu Foundation, Tsakane Mall, AA Bakery, Rise Against Hunger and Hungry Lion, as well as individuals in the community.
“Our future plans are to expand the initiative so that we can feed more people and provide grocery hampers to vulnerable and child-headed families in Tsakane,” she said.
Pictured above: Gugu Nhlengethwa cooks a pot of chicken for children and families supported by the Feed a Child, Feed a Nation initiative in Tsakane.
Image source: Supplied
