By Siqhamo Jama
The Grahamstown Feeding Association (GFA) has been providing the Makhanda community
with food and hope for more than 20 years. The GFA was established in August 1999 and has
since continued to help those in need by offering support and dignity in addition to meals.
Grahamstown Feeding Association’s soup kitchen. Photo: Siqhamo Jama
The association was founded in order to address the serious problem of food insecurity that
remains prevalent in Makhanda. The first soup and bread meals were served on August 3,
1999, marking the culmination of Professor Brian Gaybba’s ambition to combat hunger. The
community’s unwavering support has been essential to the association since its inception.
Despite the growing expenses, the soup kitchen has been able to continue thanks to the kind
donations of Rhodes University employees, local businesses, schools, churches and
community members.
The soup kitchen has evolved over time to adapt to the community’s shifting demands. To
provide diversified meals for those in need, the menu has been broadened to include
essentials like samp, rice and maize meal.
The committee in charge of the association has played a pivotal role in ensuring that it
continues to thrive, and in so doing mitigate the widespread food insecurity that remains
prevalent in Makhanda.
In the kitchen are two people who have tirelessly worked, cooked the meals, served those in need and contended with the daily challenges that come with running such an operation.
Meagan Felix and Yonela Ngcanga prepare the meals daily, and have forged bonds with regular patrons. Their unwavering commitment and ceaseless efforts embody the spirit of the Grahamstown Feeding Association.
For thousands of people in Makhanda, the soup kitchen has provided food and hope for the
past 20 years. The Grahamstown Feeding Association’s history, from its modest beginnings
to its current state of operation, is proof of the strength of compassion and community.
“We honour the countless donors, volunteers and supporters who have enabled the association to
carry out its mission as we commemorate this milestone.”
The soup kitchen will keep feeding and helping those in need as long as the community
supports it. Given that the soup kitchen is housed in Makana Municipality space off of Knight
Street, it represents the cooperation of grassroots organisations and local government in
tackling social issues.
As Makhanda reflects on the past two decades, it is critical to reaffirm the local community’s commitment to supporting organisations like the Grahamstown Feeding Association, ensuring that no one in the community goes hungry and that hope continues to flourish for years to come.
