Mandela Day initiative brings meals and hope to homeless community
Simone Jansen van Rensburg fed the homeless for Mandela Day
As part of her commitment to giving back to the community, Simone Jansen van Rensburg partnered with Food Lover’s Market Harvest Place to provide meals to homeless residents in Kempton Park on Mandela Day, July 18.
Jansen van Rensburg, who was named first runner-up in the Mrs Supranational South Africa competition in June, approached the store to request support for the initiative.
The store manager agreed to partner with her, helping make the outreach possible.
Jansen van Rensburg said the initiative was about more than providing food. It was also about showing people experiencing homelessness that they are valued and remembered.
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“Giving back is more than simply serving people; it is serving with love, dignity and compassion. Nelson Mandela taught us that every person has the power to make a difference. I wanted to honour his legacy by showing people experiencing homelessness that they are seen, valued and never forgotten,” she said.
The initiative aimed to provide warm meals, encouragement and a reminder that members of the community care.
Jansen van Rensburg said the partnership with Food Lover’s Market Harvest Place demonstrated the impact that can be achieved when businesses and community members work together.
“Kindness is contagious. You don’t have to change the whole world to make a difference — you only have to change someone’s world. When businesses and communities work together, we can create hope, restore dignity and remind people that they are not alone,” she said.
The outreach focused on supporting a local homeless community in Kempton Park, where Jansen van Rensburg said there was a genuine need for assistance.
She added that the experience was both emotional and humbling, with the conversations and gratitude shared by beneficiaries leaving a lasting impression.
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“Seeing the gratitude on people’s faces and hearing their stories reminded me that every act of kindness matters,” she said.
Jansen van Rensburg said she hopes to make the initiative an annual Mandela Day project and continue supporting communities throughout the year.
“This is only the beginning. I plan to continue serving communities throughout the year while growing my outreach initiatives,” she said.
