Feed, nourish and grow
This Mandela Day, Mensch teamed up with the Cape SA Jewish Board of Deputies to create their annual (now online and global!) Mandela Day Cook-along, to help feed, nourish and grow children in early learning centres (ECDs) in three provinces of South Africa.
On Sunday 18 July, as the Fast of Tisha B’av ended, Mensch brought South Africans around the world together again, to celebrate the spirit of Madiba through food. This year the Global Online Cook-along focused on feeding, nourishing and growing the future of our country — the children!
Global action, local impact
Over 237 people have contributed so far to Mensch’s Mandela Day campaign from South Africa, the UK, Europe, USA, Canada, Australia and Israel; and the amount raised thus far is almost R180 000. Over 120 litres of soup has been donated. Close to 80 participants joined online to cook a delicious vegetable, lentil and coconut soup, with a rustic homemade bread. Ex-Capetonian Chef Robinne Collie (nee Chait) led the group in a step-by-step demonstration with fun and lively interaction throughout. Robinne is the founder of Cook for Good, a UK-based social enterprise that runs virtual and in-person corporate team building experiences, and invest their profits into food-focused community projects.
The value of a Jewish social change network
Mensch empowers the Jewish community to co-create positive change with South African communities in two ways: Building a network of dedicated individuals and organisations catalysing change; and mobilising volunteer service to actively create positive social transformation. Events like Mandela Day bring these two activities together by highlighting Jewish-led organisations that our community can support. Mensch also empowers these organisations with fundraising, marketing and communications support and know-how.
Funds raised this year will go towards supporting three Mensch Network Member’s organisations:
Kensington Educare Centre, Union of Jewish Women, CT – Western Cape
Proceeds will launch the ‘Partnering with Parents’ Bursary Fund campaign. Twenty children will receive a one-year bursary to help their parents with creche fees.
Ripples for Change – Eastern Cape
Funds raised will help nourish children from 60 creches in the Eastern Cape. Ripples for Change will enable 120 principals and cooks to provide healthier, nutritious food for 4200 children with their meagre R5/day for food from their government school grant.
FeedSA – Gauteng
With your help FeedSA will provide 400 children from Agisanang Day Care Center in Alexandra and Inyanda Day Care Center in Orange Farm with nutritional food, monthly for one year.
Homemade bread baked by Jacqui Benson and Sixolile Mabombo. 
Mensch – www.mensch.org.za | Mensch on Facebook | Mensch on Instagram
Cape SA Jewish Board of Deputies website: www.capesajbd.org, Instagram, and Facebook page.
• Published in the PDF edition of the September 2021 issue – Download here.
• Sign up for our newsletter and never miss another issue!
• Please support the Cape Jewish Chronicle with a voluntary Subscription. For payment info click here.
• Visit our Portal to the Jewish Community to see a list of all the Jewish organisations in Cape Town with links to their websites.
Follow the Chronicle: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn
