Cooks spice things up for soup challenge as South Africa marks Mandela Day
3 min read
Chefs across South Africa cook 67,000 litres of soup to fight hunger on Mandela Day 2025.
South African Cooks Unite to Fight Hunger on Mandela Day 2025
Cooking for a Cause Across the Nation
On this year’s Nelson Mandela International Day, dozens of chefs, home cooks, caterers, and culinary students are joining forces in kitchens across South Africa with a single goal in mind: fighting hunger, one pot of soup at a time. From large hotels to small community kitchens, volunteers are chopping vegetables, stirring pots, and serving hope to thousands of people in need.
67 Minutes, 67,000 Litres of Soup
Mandela Day encourages people to dedicate 67 minutes of their time in honor of Nelson Mandela’s 67 years of public service. In line with that, one nationwide initiative is aiming to cook 67,000 litres of soup to feed vulnerable communities. The initiative, now a well-established Mandela Day tradition, turns kitchens into battlegrounds against hunger and food insecurity.
A Legacy of Generosity and Service
The soup-making campaign is spearheaded by the non-profit organization Chefs with Compassion. Founded during the COVID-19 lockdown, the group was formed to respond to food waste and hunger in urban areas. Over the years, it has grown into a powerful network of culinary professionals who volunteer their skills and time to support communities in crisis.
Breaking Records with Community Spirit
“In our first year, I think 2020, we already exceeded the 67,000 litres,” said Hanneke Van Linge, Head of Nosh Food Rescue, a partner in the initiative. “Last year, we did 104,000 litres in one day.” Volunteers use rescued or donated ingredients vegetables, grains, and more to prepare vast quantities of nutritious soup distributed across the country by local feeding schemes.
A Recipe for Social Impact
Executive Chef James Khoza, chairman of Chefs with Compassion, says the project goes beyond food — it’s about dignity, solidarity, and taking responsibility. “If you look at prices, they’ve gone through the roof,” he said. “Mandela Day highlights hunger and poverty and shows that chefs like us can do something meaningful with our skills.”
A Hunger Crisis in a Land of Plenty
Despite being one of Africa’s largest food producers, South Africa faces an alarming hunger crisis. The 2024 National Food and Nutrition Security Survey revealed that over 20 million South Africans face daily hunger. Meanwhile, an estimated 10.3 million tons of food are wasted every year an unacceptable contradiction in a country with abundant agricultural resources.
The Human Cost of Waste and Inequality
The issue is not a lack of food, but inequality in access. The causes of food insecurity range from poverty and unemployment to climate change and logistical barriers. Much of the food that goes to waste is still edible, highlighting the need for better redistribution networks and community driven solutions like soup kitchens and food rescue programs.
Mandela’s Legacy Inspiring New Solutions
Mandela Day serves as a powerful reminder of the impact individuals and communities can make. Volunteers are proving that hunger is not an unsolvable problem with collaboration, empathy, and creativity, even one bowl of soup can represent hope. The chefs involved are carrying Mandela’s legacy of service into the future by addressing modern challenges with practical solutions.
A Call to Action for All South Africans
The Mandela Day soup initiative is more than a symbolic gesture. It is a movement that invites every citizen to contribute in their own way by cooking, donating food, or simply volunteering their time. The message is clear: no act of kindness is too small, and everyone has a role to play in building a more compassionate, food-secure society.
Looking Forward Beyond Mandela Day
While Mandela Day brings the spotlight, hunger is a year-round issue. Chefs with Compassion and their partners hope to inspire long term change and build sustainable systems of food support. Their efforts are a call to rethink how South Africa handles food waste and ensure that no one goes to bed hungry in a country capable of feeding itself.
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