Uniting with others over a shared meal
RECONCILIATION Day was marked with an event that united people from diverse walks of life at the Denis Hurley Centre.
Aimed to unite Durbanites, the Meal of Reconciliation initiative saw homeless and non-homeless, black and white, Muslim, Christian, Hindu and Jewish, South Africans and foreigners, able-bodied and disabled, old and young sit together to share a meal.
Director of the Denis Hurley Centre, Raymond Pierrier, said the initiative was aimed at bolstering social cohesion.
“Reconciliation is about what unites us, food unites people. Sharing the same meal puts us on the same level. We are merely showing people that they are equal,” Pierrier said.
It was a great day for a South African to get to know a Congolese, a Muslim to spend some time with a Jew and an able-bodied person to get to know a disabled person, he said.
Ursula de Haas, 46, from Glenwood, said the initiative was important because it encouraged sharing space with diverse people. Although she did have regular contact with the homeless, having conversations over meals with them was a different experience to just giving a donation.
“It’s a way to build dialogue between people from different walks of life… I am glad I brought my two girls along.”.
She received a Christmas card wishing her a happy Christmas from a homeless person, an experience that reduced her to tears as she was in awe of how a person with little or nothing was selfless enough to bless her.
Inbal Magen, 25, an international volunteer who has been working at the centre’s kitchen for two months, said coming to South Africa to work with the underprivileged made her more sensitive to their needs. “Today has been emotional,” she said.
Thembi Mkhize, 53, who has been homeless for 13 years said this was one of the days she has been looking forward to. Another homeless person, Musa Nelson, said the day reminded him of Christmas as a child. The guests enjoyed chicken breyani, carrot salad and beetroot.
There were cool drinks and cupcakes.