An official launch event held in Mavijan brought together FFSA leadership, food donor representatives, as well as community stakeholders. Sylvia Mathebula from the Mayor's Office, local traditional leader, Malele and local Ward Councillor, Butha Mashale, came out to show their support for the initiative on behalf of the local authorities, says FFSA. 

The programme included a handover of food donations and new kitchen equipment, empowering the organisation's local beneficiary partner, Christelik Maatskaplike Raad Van Bosbokrand (CMR), to scale its efforts with immediate effect, says the organisation. 

"This is not just a donation — it's the beginning of a broader commitment to food justice and better access to food in the region," says Andy Du Plessis, Managing Director at FoodForward SA. "By expanding our beneficiary network and building local capacity, we're investing in long-term food security for Bushbuckridge."

FFSA says this emergency food relief initiative is a collaborative intervention between the non-profit organisation and local food donors, Tiger Brands, RCL, DoMore Foundation, Danone and OneFarmShare, who joined hands and offered their support to alleviate hunger in this community.

This intervention is part of FFSA's nationwide strategy to increase food security, strengthen community organisations and ensure that all South Africans, especially those in underserved areas, have access to nutritious meals, adds the organisation. 

FFSA concludes that with rising food prices and economic challenges affecting households across the country, initiatives like this are critical for sustainable impact.

For more information, visit www.foodforwardsa.org. You can also follow Food Forward SA on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, or on TikTok.

*Image courtesy of contributor