Extending a hand to the homeless
- Wits University
Shalati Mabunda, a staff member at the Education campus has embraced the spirit of giving instilled her and now provides hot meals to the homeless.
Growing up in Mamelodi East, a township in Pretoria, Mabunda’s home was a safehouse for travellers on the busy road.
“Our house was on the main road next to the bus stop and my parents were always welcoming to those who needed a glass of water or to pass water after a long commute. These strangers and neighbours would often exit the gate with a full stomach.”
It was these early experiences and lessons from her father and grandmother that shaped her values.
Mabunda, an Office Administrator to the Head of School of Education, continues these acts of kindness with her husband and three children. In 2009, Mabunda started a monthly initiative of cooking hot meals for the homeless in Windsor East in Randburg. Their initiative called ‘In Christ’s Footsteps’ also honours the family's spiritual orientation.
Food preparation starts the night before and it is a family affair. The cooking of pap in a giant pot is allocated to the man of the house, says Mabunda mischievously. Her children aged 18, 12 and 6 years all play their part from defrosting the meat to prepping the vegetables and cleaning up. She often cooks the delicious stew served ton Saturday's to about 35 – 50 people.
Mabunda and her family try to help as many people as possible, but there are limitations to their aid, namely time and finances.
It is no surprise that she is pursuing an honours degree in Community Health Psychology. She dreams of opening an NGO that will help the homeless find their footing.
“With the little that you can spare, reach out. There is nothing more fulfilling than helping someone who can’t pay you back,” she says.
To learn more about this project or to lend a hand, contact Shalati.Mabunda@wits.ac.za
This article is one of five published that showcases how Wits staff contribute as individuals to various charitable causes. These incredible staff members live and appreciate Wits’ values beyond our campuses, and we are incredibly proud of their spirit of volunteerism and them practising #WitsForGood. The stories were featured in the December edition of the Staff Monthly Newsletter.
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