By NONJABULO NTULI
The kitchen: The Joza Street Community Kitchen
The chef: Noluthando Zake
Noluthando Zake, born and bred in Makhanda, and her kitchen epitomises ubuntu.
She has been running it for two and a half years. In the early days, she used her own money for ingredients. But, after the word got around, she started getting occasional donations.
The kitchen operates on Wednesdays and Fridays, starting at 2.30 pm when the school day ends. “When I started at 1 pm, I realised that children would come after I’d finished serving and there’d be no more food.”
It is hard not to notice Noluthando’s kind essence when she says that helping people makes her happy. “Seeing my people get help really makes me happy, and I’m grateful that God has given me the strength to help others.”
But, there are some weeks when she doesn’t have enough groceries to serve people. “Sometimes people come and knock here asking for food and I’d have nothing to offer because I don’t have enough funds. I’d help them with my own food.”
After the pandemic, the kitchen got busy. “People had lost their jobs and were struggling.”
How you can help
If Noluthando’s kindness has inspired you, you can contact her on 073 628 4247 to make a donation.
