“If the vision of the original Table of Peace and Unity is bold, let’s all be bolder still!” says Christine Cashmore, founder of the world-class fund-raising event. The Table of Peace and Unity was initiated by the Good Food and Wine Show 11 years ago, and this year it will be sponsored by SamsungGalaxy and MTN.

Once again the focus is on creating a symbolic space for members of the public, dignitaries, celebrities and religious leaders to celebrate the simple sharing of a meal; and to raise funds for organisations working with abused, vulnerable and orphaned children – which to date is an impressive R12-million.

The main event in the Mother City will include a sumptuous three-course meal prepared with ingredients donated by Checkers. Top chefs Peter Tempelhoff and Delia Harbottle (of the Liz McGrath Collection); Morne Botha of the Park Inn by Radisson and up-and-coming young chefs from the Cape Town Hotel School working with Jerome Peters and Danielle Schamrel, who will all create a feast worthy of an event that attracts international attention both for its dramatic table setting and visionary goals.

Entertainment will also be top-notch, with Danny K, the Guguletu Tenors, PJ Powers, Victor and Lana English and Sterling EQ using their voices to support peace and unity. This year a Children’s Table will be set up alongside the main table. “It’s fun for the children, and reminds the rest of us that we are doing this for the benefit of the next generation”, says Cashmore. Downings will donate the enormous marquee that will host the lunch.

The beneficiaries that will receive on-going support for their excellent work are Operation Bobbi Bear, Door of Hope Children’s Missionand COPESSA in Johannesburg; and the Nceduluntu Sanctuary Trust, The Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation Youth Centre in Masiphumelele; the Unathi Township Creche, ‘City Angel’ Christine Booysten who works with homeless children in Lavender Hill, in Cape Town, and a number of other ‘City Angels’ – individuals or groups who dedicate their time and resources to working with abused or abandoned children – that will be identified nationally for financial assistance.

Checkers will soon launch a national campaign, encouraging the purchase of selected items, for which it will donate a percentage to the charities – under-written to the value of R1-million. MTN will add its support with a campaign inviting subscribers to sms the word ‘Mother’ to 36353 to donate R5 to the Table of Peace and Unity charities.

“This year, we want to urge all South Africans to make this project their own, even if they can’t be at Table Mountain on the day”, says Cashmore. “Create a Table of Peace and Unity of your own - at home, on your street, in your community. Breaking bread together in a mindful way will go some way in creating the peace and unity we all want for ourselves and our country”.

Tickets for the Table of Peace and Unity can be bought through Computicket.
For corporate concessions as well as tips on how to host your own Table, go to www.tableofpeaceandunity.co.za or contact [email protected].