: At a Mustadafin Foundation community garden in Khayelitsha, team members and local residents gather to learn practical gardening skills. By cultivating fresh produce like strawberries, herbs, and root vegetables, the programme not only promotes food security but also builds self-sufficiency and community resilience. Through hands-on training and mentorship, Mustadafin empowers individuals to take control of their food sources and create greener, healthier environments.
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.*
Mustadafin Foundation is responding to this need not only through food relief but by equipping communities with sustainable solutions.
“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,” shares 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.
This World Food Day, Mustadafin Foundation stands committed to building a future where access to nutritious food is a reality for all.
At Mustadafin, we don’t just hand out food, we hand over tools, knowledge, and hope. We want every household to move from vulnerability to independence.
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 our commitment to empowering communities with practical gardening skills, enabling them to grow fresh produce, strengthen food resilience, and build sustainable livelihoods.
For more information about Mustadafin and the work that they are doing, or if you would like to get involved. Please call 021 633 0010 or visit www.mustadafin.org.za