Chefs Unite to Prepare Thousands of Liters of Soup on Mandela Day

• Chefs and community cooks united to create 67,000 liters of soup.
• The event honored Nelson Mandela’s legacy of service and compassion.
• Participants volunteered their talents to help fight hunger in South Africa.
• The initiative aims to combat food waste while feeding the food insecure.
• Chefs with Compassion plays a key role in supplying quality food to those in need.

South African chefs prepare soup to honor Nelson Mandela

In an inspiring display of unity and compassion, South African chefs, catering professionals, culinary students, and community cooks came together in Johannesburg to prepare an impressive 67,000 liters of soup as a tribute to the legacy of Nelson Mandela. This remarkable initiative took place on Mandela Day, which is recognized internationally, encouraging people to volunteer for 67 minutes as a nod to his 67 years of public service. This year marked the first occasion since officially being recognized by the United Nations in 2009, and it continues to resonate across the country as individuals take on various community service projects, from cleaning public areas to assisting in schools and hospitals.

Volunteers created nutritious meals for the community

Cooks at the HTA School of Culinary Arts devoted their Friday to creating rich, flavorful soups filled with vegetables, legumes, and a diverse assortment of spices. The broths simmered continuously from early morning until 5:30 p.m, when the final soup counts rolled in. James Khoza, executive chef and chairman of the non-profit organization Chefs with Compassion, emphasized the need to elevate the quality of food given to those in need. He remarked, “I did a lentil soup with vegetables and a bit of chicken pieces inside,” showcasing that nutritious meals need not be a luxury reserved for the privileged, but a necessity everyone deserves.

Ongoing efforts to combat food insecurity in South Africa

This year marked the sixth consecutive edition of the initiative led by Chefs with Compassion, who have consistently fought against hunger and food waste. Working with excess food sourced from farmers and stores that would typically be discarded, these culinary professionals aim to merge social consciousness with their cooking skills. Individuals like Tyra Nyakudya, an 18-year-old culinary student, devoted her day to chopping vegetables for the collective soup effort. Despite being only a child when Mandela passed away in 2013, she expressed that” his legacy continues to inspire meaningful service for the community, which is exactly why we gather to cook today.”

The act of preparing 67,000 liters of soup on Mandela Day highlights not only the spirit of giving back but also sheds light on the stark realities of food insecurity faced by millions of South Africans. Encouraging actions like these should extend beyond just one day; instead, they should inspire a culture of continuous support and awareness throughout the year. With over 20 million people suffering from hunger and significant food wastage occurring annually, collective efforts from organizations like Chefs with Compassion are vital in addressing these pressing issues.