Unemployed man feeds more than 100 people every week

Sabata Maile is in the business of doing good deeds. He runs a soup kitchen from his house to help feed the hungry in his community every week.

Established in 2018, the soup kitchen has been running for five years and has been consistent with delivering hot meals to the needy every Thursday without fail.

Speaking to the Herald, Maile who founded the Sabstones soup kitchen said he fed the more than 100 people from his own pocket every Thursday.

“I started this soup kitchen back in 2018 when I saw homeless people scrapping for leftovers in dustbins on the days that the municipality collects them. They’d often knock on my door to ask for a glass of water and some would even ask for food. That really struck me and that’s when I thought I should cook something for them. Coincidentally my wife was also thinking the same thing.

“We then bought a few items and started cooking and feeding those who are needy and we have never looked back ever since,” said Maile who added that the people who frequent his soup kitchen are mainly those who reside at the dumping sites.

Local resident and beneficiary, John Voster, said the soup kitchen helped him a great deal.

“I really feel that the soup kitchen helps out many in the community. Everyone took a hit during Covid-19 and the poor just got poorer. I really am thankful for this initiative. Maila is doing a wonderful job,” said Voster who added that he came in every Thursday to get a plate of hot food.

However, Maile needs help in sustaining his efforts and is asking for donations from community members and businesses alike.

The soup kitchen is on the corner of Village and 12th Streets in Hectorton, Randfontein.

Maile can be contacted on 078 278 2130 to offer a helping hand. Currently he uses rental income from his outside rooms to fund the kitchen.