Thuthukani Informal Settlement, Seatides (KZN)

An Indomitable Cook and her fight to curb hunger at the Thuthukani Informal Settlement

Today, we share the story of Annette Ponen. Mrs Ponen and her husband are long-time residents of Seatides (KZN). Their neighbours are the 300 residents of the Thuthukani Informal Settlement. This is a community that waited until 2016 to receive a few toilets and showers with running water. They have difficult lives and COVID-19 has exacerbated the hardships they endure. Mrs Ponen could not stand to see the extent of deprivation her neighbours endured. She took swift action, obtained the necessary permits, and started her soup kitchen in 2019, which she ran twice a week, up until the onset of COVID-19. Since then, she and her dedicated team of cooks have prepared lunch every day of the week. This selfless act has ensured that all 300 residents of Thuthukani Informal Settlement get a meal every day. Her love for her community is admirable. She goes to the extent of trying her best to secure sweets for the children in order to encourage them to wear masks because social distancing practices are nearly impossible to maintain in informal settlements. We are honoured to be associated with such a noble woman.