Harmony in the Valley

We Care Wellness Centre, championed by Nando’s, in partnership with the University of Johannesburg homeopath department in Victoria Yards. The centre provides free holistic, homeopathic healthcare to the community. Doctors and final-year students from the university come three times a week. (Photo: Lungile Hlatshwayo)

The distribution of masks to children waiting in line at the soup kitchen was as important as a meal. Morgan Du Toit (front, right), Jenny Knoetze (front, left), Monique Knoetze and Vicky Oliphant (back, left), and Gugulethu Ncube (holding lunch box) receive masks and soup at Victoria Yards, Johannesburg. (Photo: Lungile Hlatshwayo)

With material donated to Timbuktu in the Valley by Victoria Yards, Timbuktu in the Valley children Zinhle Sithole and Bongiwe Majola sewed masks as part of their Covid-19 response. The masks were distributed to children in the area. (Photo: Lungile Hlatshwayo)

In partnership with LOCK (Love Our City Klean), Makers Valley Partnership runs an initiative where residents earn points for bringing recyclables, which they can redeem for fresh vegetables, dry goods and clothing at weekly Swop Shops. The Swop Shops are supported by SA Harvest, Nando’s, Nosh and the Dis-Chem Foundation. (Photo: Lungile Hlatshwayo)

Timbuktu in the Valley remained opened throughout lockdown and was turned into a baking space for breadmaking and cooking for the homeless recyclers. Here, Henry Doe removes bread from the oven. (Photo: Lungile Hlatshwayo)

Leigh van der Watt of Nando’s assists a child with their mask. (Photo:Lungile Hlatshwayo)

When Nando’s donated 250 blankets and food parcels to the learning space, the extra blankets were shared with the homeless recyclers in a campaign called #ActionAgainstPoverty. Henry Doe of Timbuktu in the Valley Learning Space hands out supplies to the homeless recyclers of Yeoville, Johannesburg. (Photo: Lungile Hlatshwayo)

Children enjoying the nutritious food prepared by Mpho Deane ‘Food I Love’ and Nonhlanhla ‘ChefNoni’ Godole. Dolly and Pule Molefe with a hot meal from the community soup kitchen. (Photo: Lungile Hlatshwayo)

From April 19 to July 1 2020, one soup kitchen at Victoria Yards, Johannesburg, served more than 11,150 portions of food, each of which was shared among three or more people. The main soup kitchen has since been disbanded in favour of six ‘community kitchens’, each serving a smaller local area. Ntombikhona Mavuso receives a mask and food. (Photo: Lungile Hlatshwayo)

Covid-19 exposed the social imbalances within society, especially the vulnerable. Homeless recyclers in Kensington, Johannesburg, receive hot soup. (Photo: Lungile Hlatshwayo)

Community volunteers Tsidi Mamzo (left) and Mama Bob cleaned and chopped the veggies for chefs Mpho Deane and Nonhlanhla Godole, who cooked the delicious and nutritious food. These volunteers now run their own community soup kitchen, serving food twice a week to residents in their neighbourhood in Johannesburg. (Photo: Lungile Hlatshwayo)

Xola Uyanda from Timbuktu in the Valley Learning Space sanitises the hands of the homeless recyclers from Bertrams, Johannesburg. (Photo: Lungile Hlatshwayo)

Using surplus food was an important part of the Covid-19 response and through SA Harvest, Nosh and Nando’s, the team was able to feed many people and address hunger in the community during a very challenging time. (Photo: Lungile Hlatshwayo)

Students from the homeopath department at the University of Johannesburg explain the health treatment to Nokuthula Jali and her children at Victoria Yards. (Photo: Lungile Hlatshwayo)