Freedom Day Ballito cooks produce 7 700 meals to feed hungry flood victims

Though the floods have largely subsided, thousands of KwaDukuza residents remain displaced and in desperate need of help.

In an attempt to combat this and address food scarcity, Against Drugs and Child Abuse (ADCA) hosted its ongoing hot meal initiative outside the Lifestyle Spar last week, this time with a little bit of extra help.

Joined by RE/MAX Dolphin Realtors, pupils and staff from Ashton International College Ballito and Ballito residents, a successful cooking event was held in honour of Freedom Day.

“That was epic! So many people came and helped out, it must have been more than 100. There was so much noise, activity and positivity among people here in Ballito and I love that,” said ADCA founder, Rex Hunt.

The first step was to collect raw vegetables for the cook and an unbelievable 2 700kg was donated, with the number likely much higher, said Hunt.

“This was just what I managed to count at the time and does not include the boxes and boxes that Spar donated or any of the dry food plus a whole stack of meaty bones for the stew,” he said.

Helpers who gathered then started chopping away, getting the vegetables ready for the stews and soups.

“I have done my calculations and we have been able to produce 7 700 meals, aside from the 500 loaves of sponsored bread!”

Some of the raw vegetables and dry food went to Groutville residents on the day, part of an ongoing relationship between pensioners and ADCA.

The remainder was cooked and distributed primarily to Groutville and Etete residents who were affected by the floods, many of whom lost their homes.

“I am overwhelmed by the love and support of Ballito and Dolphin Coast people and those from abroad who have donated financially.”