By TOLERATE CHILOANE
Di-anne Oosthuizen started the 16 Currie Street community kitchen in April 2020, just after Covid hit.
“I saw there was a great need when Covid hit, as a lot of people lost jobs and had no other means of income,” she says.
The kitchen caters to children, the elderly and anyone without food. People come from far and wide: Vergenoeg, Xolani, Currie Street, Middle Terrace, Albany Road, and Scott’s Farm.
Di-anne says it’s essential to have community kitchens in different places as they cater to many people. “People won’t have to walk far for a plate of food to other areas.”
Di-anne’s day job is deputy principal of Ntaba Maria school. She relies on donations from the Makhanda community to keep the kitchen going.
St Mary’s Day Care Centre donates basic food to the soup kitchen. Carara Agro Processing provides a 9kg gas cylinder to the kitchen monthly. “When it’s done, we top up ourselves, sometimes, from our own pockets.”
Now that businesses are also suffering because of Covid, Dianne’s worry is whether there will be food for the next soup day.
“I always worry after every meal on a Tuesday about what I will have for the next Tuesday! But then again, people provide! God is good! I am also SO grateful to Dave Duncan! He is a farmer just outside town. He always supplies cabbage!”
How you can help
Any donations can be dropped at “We Wash It”- Pieter Burger’s car wash in African street. Also, at Di-anne’s home at 16 Currie Street. Dianne can also collect. Her phone number is 0848996502 and e-mail is dianneoosthuizen39@gmail.com
