As South Africa marks World Food Day on 16 October, the Mustadafin Foundation is intensifying efforts to combat food insecurity in one of Cape Town’s most densely populated communities — Khayelitsha. With nearly four million households across the country facing moderate to severe food insecurity, the Foundation’s urban farming initiative is emerging as a practical, scalable model for community resilience.
At its community garden site, local residents are being trained in food production, soil management, and sustainable agriculture. The goal is not short-term food relief, but long-term self-sufficiency. “Our gardening programme empowers individuals with the knowledge and tools to grow their own food,” says Ghairunisa Johnstone-Cassiem, Director of the Mustadafin Foundation. “These gardens help reduce dependency on external food sources while promoting healthier lifestyles and community resilience.”
The Khayelitsha programme, established as part of the Foundation’s broader hunger alleviation strategy, has shifted from traditional food parcel distribution to skills-based empowerment. Residents are taught how to cultivate a range of produce — from spinach and root vegetables to herbs and fruit — using small-scale urban farming methods suitable for limited spaces.
This approach reflects a growing shift among civil society organisations toward sustainable food systems, where the focus is on building capacity rather than offering handouts. “It’s about restoring dignity,” adds Johnstone-Cassiem. “Our aim is not just to feed people, but to equip them with the ability to feed themselves.”
World Food Day, observed globally under the theme “Water is Life, Water is Food – Leave No One Behind”, underscores the importance of community-driven responses to hunger amid worsening climate challenges and rising food costs. In South Africa, where the cost of living continues to climb, urban agriculture has become a critical component of food security interventions.
Mustadafin’s model demonstrates that small-scale, community-based agriculture can make measurable impact — creating a local food supply chain while strengthening social cohesion.
For more information on Mustadafin Foundation’s community food security projects or to get involved, visit www.mustadafin.org.za or call 021 633 0010.
