KNYSNA NEWS - For the past year, Mina's Kitchen has been feeding about 500 kids in Smutsville, Sedgefield, every Sunday.

The project started on Easter Sunday last year when Willemina "Mina" Solomons, together with Shulka and Keshav Mohabir, decided to give back to their community by sponsoring a meal for 100 children.

Keshav says the impact was immediate and profound. "The kids were over the moon, but it wasn't just them. The women who helped cook also felt that they were doing something meaningful."

Now, every Saturday, Solomons leads a team of six to 10 women, many of whom are family and friends with little or no stable income. Each participating woman receives a fair wage and for many it has been life-changing.

"This has not only given them income, but a sense of pride and belonging," says Shulka. "Some of these ladies were only managing one day of temporary work a week."

The initiative has become a cornerstone in Smutsville, bringing food, hope, and dignity to those who truly need it.

Support

Mina's Kitchen is surviving through the generosity of donors. Though support from local businesses is still limited, Greeffs Butchery has stepped up as a reliable partner, consistently supplying meat at discounted prices to stretch the budget. 

Mina's Kitchen is currently in the process of registering as a non-profit, which will allow them to offer tax incentives to potential sponsors and expand their impact.

"There's so much more we could do with the right tools," says Keshav. "We need a reliable vehicle, industrial ovens, training courses for the women, and proper storage. This isn't just about feeding kids, it's about creating jobs, empowering women, and building a better community from the inside out."

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