Traumatised by the sight of a family digging through garbage bins, picking up dirty nappies and mouldy food, Fezeka Mjemla started feeding and supporting children and adults.
She now feeds hundreds of people.
Mjemla, a qualified but unemployed teacher, collects clothes, books, stationery and cooks for disadvantaged children from around East London.
“I remember the day like it was yesterday– February 9 2013, a Sunday afternoon.
“At the time I was living at St Peter’s in Southernwood in a block of flats, and you can imagine how much rubbish you can extract from a block of flats.
“The family, a man, woman and two of their children, were digging through the garbage. I was in the kitchen when I saw them.
“I was so troubled by what they were doing so I approached them.”
Mjemla said she asked the family where they had come from and what they were looking for.
“The man told me their home, a shack in Duncan Village, had burned down and they were looking for food. That broke my heart.
“I invited them in and gathered all my children’s old clothes as well as mine and I gathered whatever food I had available.”
The mother of three said little did she know the same family would return the following day with more mouths for her to feed.
“The Monday morning there was about 15 of them coming to ask for food. I even went to Zoleka, who was my neighbour at the time to ask her for food she had.
“People have not stopped knocking on my door ever since and I have never turned anybody away. I always make sure I always have food available at home.”
When the Daily Dispatch visited Mjemla yesterday Dean Botha, 16, was waiting anxiously as Mjemla baked pies.
Botha said he had no parents and he lived with his aunt who did not care for him.
“Mama is the one person I know won’t swear at me or turn me away. She has a heart of gold and every day she shows many of us love and compassion.”
Mjemla said: “None of what I do would be possible if I did not have the support I have from my friends, neighbours, the companies and churches. Everything they donate makes a world of difference.”
Llynne Matthews, founder of Helping Hands, who nominated Mjemla, said she was impressed with the work she did after learning of her from Sandra Kohler, Founder of Bless A Child.
“She is a phenomenal women doing great things.”
“Because I have so many people to feed, my home is congested with food and clothes. I can only hope that one day I will have a shelter big enough for me to work from,” said Mjemla. — mbalit@dispatch.co.za
Always ready to feed, clothe
She now feeds hundreds of people.
Mjemla, a qualified but unemployed teacher, collects clothes, books, stationery and cooks for disadvantaged children from around East London.
“I remember the day like it was yesterday– February 9 2013, a Sunday afternoon.
“At the time I was living at St Peter’s in Southernwood in a block of flats, and you can imagine how much rubbish you can extract from a block of flats.
“The family, a man, woman and two of their children, were digging through the garbage. I was in the kitchen when I saw them.
“I was so troubled by what they were doing so I approached them.”
Mjemla said she asked the family where they had come from and what they were looking for.
“The man told me their home, a shack in Duncan Village, had burned down and they were looking for food. That broke my heart.
“I invited them in and gathered all my children’s old clothes as well as mine and I gathered whatever food I had available.”
The mother of three said little did she know the same family would return the following day with more mouths for her to feed.
“The Monday morning there was about 15 of them coming to ask for food. I even went to Zoleka, who was my neighbour at the time to ask her for food she had.
“People have not stopped knocking on my door ever since and I have never turned anybody away. I always make sure I always have food available at home.”
When the Daily Dispatch visited Mjemla yesterday Dean Botha, 16, was waiting anxiously as Mjemla baked pies.
Botha said he had no parents and he lived with his aunt who did not care for him.
“Mama is the one person I know won’t swear at me or turn me away. She has a heart of gold and every day she shows many of us love and compassion.”
Mjemla said: “None of what I do would be possible if I did not have the support I have from my friends, neighbours, the companies and churches. Everything they donate makes a world of difference.”
Llynne Matthews, founder of Helping Hands, who nominated Mjemla, said she was impressed with the work she did after learning of her from Sandra Kohler, Founder of Bless A Child.
“She is a phenomenal women doing great things.”
“Because I have so many people to feed, my home is congested with food and clothes. I can only hope that one day I will have a shelter big enough for me to work from,” said Mjemla. — mbalit@dispatch.co.za
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