The Mustadafin Foundation has announced that World Food Day, observed each year on 16 October, highlights the global issue of hunger and food insecurity. In South Africa, close to 4-million households experience moderate to severe food insecurity, with limited or uncertain access to sufficient, nutritious food to live active, healthy lives.
The Mustadafin Foundation is responding to this need not only through food relief but by equipping communities with sustainable solutions, says the foundation.
"In Khayelitsha, our gardening programme empowers individuals with the knowledge and tools to grow their own food. These gardens help reduce dependency on external food sources while promoting healthier lifestyles and community resilience," says Ghairunisa Johnstone-Cassiem, Director of Mustadafin Foundation.
"The initiative is about more than just food. It is 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," adds Johnstone-Cassiem.
As seeds are planted and gardens grow, so does a sense of hope and possibility, adds the foundation.
This World Food Day, Mustadafin Foundation stands committed to building a future where access to nutritious food is a reality for all, says the foundation.
At the Mustadafin Foundation's community garden in Khayelitsha, local residents and team members work side by side to cultivate potted seedlings and prepare garden beds. This hands-on session reflects the foundation's commitment to empowering communities with practical gardening skills, enabling them to grow fresh produce, strengthen food resilience, and build sustainable livelihoods, concludes the foundation.
For more information, visit www.mustadafin.org.za. You can also follow the Mustadafin Foundation on Facebook, or on Instagram.
*Image courtesy of contributor