In the heart of Cape Town’s Valhalla Park, a beacon of change shines through the unwavering dedication of Shahieda Martin. Founder of the nonprofit organisation Angel Community Outreach, Shahieda embodies the spirit of a true community leader, her work deeply rooted in faith and a sense of purpose.
Shahieda’s connection to Valhalla Park runs deep, having grown up in the very community she now serves.
While life initially led her elsewhere after marriage, a significant turn brought her back in 2021 to care for her ailing mother.
It was during this period that she started a small soup kitchen which provided meals to those who were struggling. This initial act of kindness laid the groundwork for something much larger.
Even after her mother’s passing and her return to her own home, Shahieda felt an undeniable pull to continue making a difference. As she explains, “God didn’t let me rest. I kept thinking about the children I had left behind.”
This compelling sense of purpose led Shahieda to a pivotal decision in 2022, which was a permanent return to Valhalla Park and the formal establishment of Angel Community Outreach.
Building upon the foundation of that initial soup kitchen, the organisation has now expanded its reach significantly.
The organisation now offers after-school programs for children, providing a safe space to play and grow. For women, it offers vital support through programs that improve parenting and communication skills, and restore dignity in difficult circumstances.
“The reality for many women here is survival,” Shahieda says. “There’s unemployment, poverty, abuse such as mental, physical, and financial. Many raise children alone, with no male role models in sight.”
Shahieda’s vision extends beyond immediate relief, advocating for sustainable change through grassroots support and opportunity. “We need corporates to start supporting smaller organisations like ours, those working directly in the community,” she asserts. “Skills training, internships, and learnerships can change a woman’s entire future.”
Despite the daily hurdles, Shahieda’s hope remains steadfast. “It’s not easy, but with God, it’s easier,” she says. The organisation’s powerful slogan, #CauseOurCommunity/KidsMatters, reflects this enduring mission. “We’re committed to changing lives, even if it’s one person at a time. Our strength comes from the relationships we’ve built and the belief that we can make a difference, no matter how small the beginning.”
