In a powerful exhibit of national compassion, the caring chef has destroyed all previous records at the 6th annual Mandela Day Initiative, cooking an astounding 142 462 liters of soup, enough to feed 848 of 609 in South Africa.
The 2025 edition of the Mandela Day campaign's #67,000litres brought together culinary schools, community kitchens, businesses, chefs and volunteers to turn surplus food into nutrition for those in need.
“The success this year has been incredible,” said Coo Pillay, founder of the caring chef and president of SA chefs. “We exceeded last year's total to about 40,000 litres. The outstanding contributor was Tsebo Group, whose national involvement added over 24,000 litres to the total.
The chef with 32 active hubs of caring (compassionate cooking community kitchens all year round) contributed over 80 000 liters. These nameless heroes serving the community every day were the backbone of this record-breaking effort.
“Comfortable chefs are rooted in food rescue,” said Hanneke Van Linge, founder of CWC and founder of Nosh Food Rescue. “Mandela Day is our most visible moment, but for the people in our network, this work never stops. It is possible to feed over 600,000 people food that would otherwise be wasted. It is powerful.
Corporate partners played a vital role:
Tsebo Group (all kitchens nationwide, 24 000 liters) Marriott International (14 hotels) Bonn Hotel, Capital Hotel Group, Southern Sun, and Indava Hotel Stelkinekor cooked with Chef Keegan Mystory at Gvon Academy Prime Media Head Office and Gvon Academy Prime Media Head Office at Prima Dia Broadcasting Egiti. Melinda Shaw donates over five tons of chicken from rainbow, astral and country bird holdings via Poultry Bulletin, representing R67 000 worth of chicken from each of the three companies, and nulaid represents nulaid through the donation of 670 dozen eggs from nulaid and Johannesburg and in-slice feants cumting fatisent behavior factis fatise and the copt and slice. I donated financially and cooked it along with chef Moses Moloi Compass Insurance. Moses Moloi Compass Insurance has donated 1,000 blanket rebels.
“The poultry industry is proud to continue supporting this deep human initiative,” Melinda Shaw said on behalf of her poultry partners. “When we talk about feeding our nation, it must have intention, dignity and heart. The contribution of protein is more than a donation. It is a symbol of solidarity with people who tirelessly strive to fight hunger.”
“All schools have risen on this occasion,” said chef Deissen Salgerzer, who coordinated culinary schools. “From Capsicum Rosebank and Cape Town to new entrants such as HTA, IHS and Guvon Academy, students cooked alongside chefs and corporate teams. The sense of joy and unity in these kitchens was electricity.”
Chef Desen described the emotional moment in Alexandra's rattanbana. There, the chefs were welcomed by the brass band, and the community responded with singing, dancing and sincere gratitude.
“Cooking is one of the deepest acts of care,” said James Kozaf, speaking on behalf of all participating chefs. “On Mandela Day, we remember that food is not just nutrition, it is a connection, culture and community. We are proud to stand with our South African chefs in this beautiful expression of compassion.”
As always, real heroes are beneficiaries of the community who cook daily for thousands of people with limited resources. The campaign celebrates and elevates their continued efforts by bringing public attention and support to their mission. Chefs with an ongoing mission of caring: rescue, cooking and feeding, are supported by Syspro.
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