Women givers get love reward

GIVING back was all Stephanie Benjamin wanted to do.

That’s why she started a soup kitchen known as Steph’s Ladles of Love six years ago.

“I always wanted to give back to the community, and at that moment when I drove into Freedom Farm, I felt it in my soul and bones that this was it,” said Benjamin, elated winner of the Weekend Argus and Vannie Kaap’s #SyHerrit campaign. The campaign formed part of a women’s month initiative honouring women who do great community work. The event culminated in an Instameet held at the Radisson Red at the V&A Waterfront.

On her victory, Benjamin said: “It felt and still feels unreal. I never expected to win anything, I just wanted to network with other entities and spread awareness for our school clothes drive.”

Benjamin, who resides in Blackheath, feeds more than 300 Freedom Farm residents every month. “Every single month we cook a huge pot of vegetable stew and rice. The kids get a party packet and a sweet treat, and the adults get a vegetable hamper if we get enough donations,” she said.

Benjamin is currently organising a school clothes drive for the children of Freedom Farm. “This year, we would like to get a full school uniform for each child attending school… It is so sad that when I ask kids if they have been to school and some answer: ‘No, because my shoes are broken’. I want them to walk into the classroom with pride on their first day of school…

“We are affiliated to three other charities who are doing amazing work. If the one charity has an excess of something, we call on each other to see who needs it or where it can be utilised. That is the power of our amazing women,” said Benjamin.

Another prize-winner was Keri Perumal who is the chairperson of the Nkoli-Fassie Society at Rhodes University, which focuses on fighting for the rights of women and the LGBT community.

Perumal said she was not expecting to be nominated for the campaign, let alone being chosen as one of the top 10.

“I was nominated by my best friend and she told me about it last week on Friday when they called to say I made it to the top 10. It was exciting, overwhelming and surprising,” she said.

PHANDO JIKELO/African News Agency (ANA) Stephanie Benjamin, main prize winner of the Weekend Argus and Vannie Kaap’s #SyHerrit campaign, for her role in the community with Sue Levy, marketing director for Radisson Red, where the event was held. |