Nearly 1,000 food hampers will be distributed to close to 4,000 people across Cape Town as part of a major “Share the Care” Ramadan initiative aimed at addressing rising food insecurity in vulnerable communities.
The annual campaign, led by Awqaf SA in partnership with the Türkiye Diyanet Foundation, marks its 10th consecutive year of collaboration between the Turkish religious authority and the South African nonprofit organisation. The initiative forms part of broader humanitarian efforts responding to growing levels of economic pressure and food insecurity in South Africa, where millions of people are affected by unemployment and limited access to nutritious food.
This year’s food distribution will reach households in Hanover Park, Parkwood, CAFDA, Lavender Hill, and Khayelitsha, communities identified as being among the most affected by poverty and food scarcity in the Western Cape. Organisers say the hampers are intended to provide essential relief during Ramadan, a period observed by Muslims worldwide marked by fasting, reflection, and increased charitable giving.
Awqaf SA CEO Mickaeel Collier said Ramadan is intended to encourage both personal transformation and broader social responsibility, adding that the success of the holy month should be measured by how individuals contribute to uplifting those in need. He noted that the values promoted during Ramadan, including compassion, justice, and dignity, align closely with South Africa’s constitutional principles of equality and human rights.
Awqaf SA, formally known as the National Awqaf Foundation of South Africa, is a community-based endowment organisation that supports long-term social development programmes, including education, healthcare, and youth upliftment initiatives through sustainable charitable funding models.
Organisers also noted that this year’s Ramadan coincides with the Christian period of Lent, a time of reflection and sacrifice, highlighting what they describe as shared values across faith communities. Collier said the overlap presents an opportunity to strengthen interfaith unity, adding that the concept of Ubuntu reflects the interconnectedness of society and the importance of collective responsibility.
Türkiye’s Consul General in Cape Town, Yonca Sunel, welcomed the continued partnership between Türkiye and South Africa, describing the decade-long collaboration as a symbol of shared humanitarian values. She said the Türkiye Diyanet Foundation remains committed to supporting international humanitarian cooperation and contributing to dignity and hope in vulnerable communities during Ramadan.
Sunel also acknowledged the role of South African religious and community organisations in expanding charitable outreach during the holy month, noting that feeding schemes across the country support thousands of beneficiaries daily, often reaching people of all faiths and backgrounds.
As the food hampers are distributed in the coming days, organisers say the initiative is intended not only to provide immediate relief but also to reinforce the broader message of social responsibility and community upliftment. Awqaf SA emphasised that Ramadan encourages individuals to shift their focus from personal need toward collective support, particularly during periods of economic hardship.
In a context of ongoing economic strain and social inequality, the “Share the Care” campaign continues to position itself as a long-standing humanitarian effort aimed at supporting vulnerable households while promoting values of compassion, unity, and shared responsibility.
