In commemoration of Youth Month, the Golden Key (GK) International Honour Society Durban University of Technology (DUT) Chapter in partnership with Food for Life South Africa (FFL SA) recently rolled out a massive feeding drive in the poverty-stricken area of Welbedacht in Chatsworth. This was part of their Youth Month campaign, offering a helping hand in response to the outbreak of COVID-19 and its effects on the area.

GK International Honour Society DUT collaborated with FFL SA on their mission of eradicating hunger and malnutrition in South Africa.

FFL SA helped to bring GK DUT Chapter’s Youth Month programme to life by providing more than one thousand hot meals to the “forgotten youth” living in the informal settlement within Welbedacht.

The Vice-President of GK DUT Chapter, Mr Vedhan Singh said the idea of feeding the youth as part of their Youth Month campaign was proposed by one of their executive committee members, Ms Avitha Dass. “In light of the strain on income and livelihoods due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the committee welcomed the idea. Immediately the partnership with FFL SA was formed and the collection drive towards the Chapter’s Youth Day programme begun,” said Singh. He stated that in less than two weeks GK DUT Chapter fundraised and was able to collect donations and sponsorships towards their campaign.

Advising the youth, Singh said this month should be a reminder of the power and potential of young people.

He said they should remember the struggles of the youth of yesteryear, remember their resilience and draw from them their strength of never surrendering.

GK DUT Chapter Treasurer, Ms Avitha Dass said their aim was to help the youth of Welbedacht to overcome the issue of hunger during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Many families across South Africa were affected by the lockdown, some being unable to fulfil even their basic need of a warm, nutritious meal.

Youth Month programmes are always a catalyst for change reflecting what can be done when the youth come together in unity and solidarity, applying their strengths and capabilities for the greater good of all,” said Dass. She said their food drive ties in with other initiatives for the month which includes clothing collection drives for hospices around KwaZulu-Natal.

The Director of FFL SA, Mr Viresh Panday said he was grateful for the partnership with GK DUT Chapter and was looking forward to more collaborations future. He applauded GK DUT Chapter for their excellent community service initiatives.

Motivating the recipients, GK DUT Chapter President, Ms Thobile Ndlazi said if they want to go to university, they can get there, despite coming from a disadvantaged background. She said that the key was for the youth of Welbedacht to visualise themselves as a success and they can become anything they want to be.
Pictured: Golden Key (GK) International Honour Society Durban University of Technology (DUT) Chapter in partnership with Food for Life (FFL) conducting their feeding drive in Welbedacht, Chatsworth.
-Simangele Zuma