Christmas meal brings joy to less fortunate
The Christmas Soup Kitchen’s founder, Sinolwethu Ntulini, along with her family and friends, cooked and served a hot and delicious meal for more than 120 Mlungisi residents on Christmas day.
“I came up with this idea in 2020, while I was in matric at Queenstown Girls’ High School,” Ntulini said.
“It was honestly a heartbreaking moment of realisation as I was thinking about my family’s Christmas menu.
“I realised there are families who do not have the means to celebrate Christmas in the form of a huge spread of food and that was a situation I sought to rectify, even if it was only for a few people.”
She said while she was aware she could not change people’s circumstances, she hoped to bring some cheer to those less fortunate on Christmas day.
Ntulini said she sought donations to make her idea a success.
“I’m so grateful to those who helped out monetarily, because without them, this soup kitchen would not have been a success,” she said.
A total of 123 people were served a hot meal at Nonzwakazi Methodist Church in Mlungisi, where everyone in the vicinity was invited to enjoy a free Christmas lunch.
Ntulini said she hoped all those who enjoyed a meal felt the Christmas spirit on the day.
I hope with every bite of their meal, they felt the love of God because of this person He sent to give them a hearty, delicious meal,” she said.
People were served chicken stew, rice, beetroot salad, chakalaka, spinach and cabbage, along with juice.
After the meal, they were served with a homemade chocolate cake for desert, and chips and biscuits as extras.
“A special thank you to my friend and coordinator, Jabulile Mahlutshana, for pushing me even when times were tough,” Ntulini said.
“Thank you to my family for helping with the preparations and the event itself.
“Thank you to our sponsors for their generosity, and thank you to my church leaders for allowing us to use their space on Christmas day.”