“What Real Heroism Looks Like”: SA Woman Puts Catering Career on Hold To Feed 150 Kids Every Week
- Lisakhanya Mabelu discovered children in Mdantsane had no food at home during school holidays and decided to act
- The 24-year-old set aside her event catering work and began cooking for less fortunate children using her own food
- Her one-woman effort has since grown into a weekly initiative reaching more than 150 children in her community
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Source: Facebook
Lisakhanya Mabelu, a 24-year-old caterer from Mdantsane in the Eastern Cape, gave up her income to feed hungry children in her neighbourhood after noticing they had nothing to eat during the school holidays.
It started when she saw children lingering outside after schools closed. Curious, she asked why they were not heading home. Their answer stopped her in her tracks: there was no food waiting for them. With schools shut, many children had lost the only reliable meal they received each day through feeding schemes.
Mabelu had been working towards building her event catering business, but she shelved those plans. Instead, she turned her cooking skills towards her community.
Cooking from her own kitchen
She started small, using food from her own home to prepare meals for the children around her. What began as a personal act of kindness has since grown considerably. Her initiative now feeds more than 150 children every week.
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The story, shared by Kurrently on Facebook on 10 September 2026, quickly resonated with South Africans who praised her selflessness and called for greater support from businesses and government.
View the Facebook post below:
Mzansi calls for sponsors and government help
South Africans were moved by Mabelu's story and flooded the comments with admiration and practical suggestions on the page:
Mj Selepe said:
"This is what real heroism looks like! 🙏🇿🇦 At 24 years old she chose community over income. Feeding 150+ kids from her own kitchen. We need more stories like Lisakhanya's. God bless her hands! Respect from Free State - Harrismith / Qwaqwa side ❤️"
Lungisile Mkhabela Dumeduze wrote:
"I wish she can get sponsors from Spar/Boxer/Shoprite and other outlets. Social Development must also make means that she register an NPO and get funding."
Babalwa Nontanda added:
"This is what we supposed to be donating for. May God bless your heart ❤️"
Phola Majinxiza suggested:
"Atleast we can donate R5 all of us here in Mdantsane"
Thembisa Thembie asked:
"Can I donate guys please let me help 🙏"
Banele Mrasi questioned:
"So does mdantsane mayor and councillors support her?"
Mpumelelo Ngamla Ncudwana concluded:
"A sweet soul. She deserves a government funding"
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Source: Briefly News
