Chefs with Compassion breaks record with 142 462 litres of soup for Mandela Day

In a powerful display of national compassion, Chefs with Compassion has smashed all previous records in its sixth annual Mandela Day initiative, cooking a staggering 142 462 litres of soup, enough to feed 609 848 people across South Africa. The 2025 edition of the #67000litres for Mandela Day campaign brought together culinary schools, community kitchens, corporates, chefs, and volunteers to transform surplus food into nourishment for people in need.

“This year’s success has been phenomenal,” said Chef Coo Pillay, founding director of Chefs with Compassion and president of SA Chefs. “We exceeded last year’s total by almost 40 000 litres. A standout contributor was the Tsebo Group, whose nationwide involvement added over 24 000 litres to our total. Their commitment shows what’s possible when an organisation truly embraces compassion.”

Chefs with Compassion’s 32 active hubs – community kitchens that cook with compassion year-round – contributed more than 80 000 litres, testament to their growing strength and preparedness. These unsung heroes, who serve their communities daily, were the backbone of this record-breaking effort.

“Chefs with Compassion is rooted in food rescue,” said Hanneke van Linge, founding director of CWC and founder of Nosh Food Rescue. “Mandela Day is our most visible moment, but for the people in our network, this work never stops. Feeding over 600 000 people with food that would otherwise go to waste is not only possible, it’s powerful. It’s proof of what we can do when compassion drives collective action.”

Corporate partners played a pivotal role, including:

• Tsebo Group (all kitchens countrywide, 24 000 litres)
• Marriott International (14 hotels)
• Bon Hotels, The Capital Hotel Group, Southern Sun, and Indaba Hotel
• Ster-Kinekor, who cooked alongside Chef Keegan Maistry at Guvon Academy
• Primedia Head Office and Primedia Broadcasting
• Essity, who cooked soup and donated sanitation supplies
• Premier, who donated 2 500 loaves of bread
• The Poultry Industry, led by Melinda Shaw via the Poultry Bulletin, which donated over 5 tonnes of chicken from Rainbow, Astral, and Country Bird Holdings, representing R67 000 worth of chicken from each of the three companies, as well as Nulaid, with a donation of 670 dozen eggs in Johannesburg and in Cape Town
• Turn & Slice, whose generous fresh produce donation helped stock kitchens across the country
• The Paul and Humile Mashatile Foundation, which contributed financially and cooked alongside Chef Moses Moloi
• Compass Insurance, who donated 1,000 blankets
• Rebel, who donated safety shoes for all 32 CWC hubs
• Chefs such as Moses Moloi, Napo Ramaili and Thabo Letsholo, who cooked alongside corporate sponsors

“The poultry industry is proud to continue supporting this deeply human initiative,” said Melinda Shaw, speaking on behalf of the poultry partners. “When we talk about feeding a nation, it must be with intention, dignity, and heart. Our contribution of protein is more than a donation—it’s a symbol of solidarity with those who work tirelessly to fight hunger.”

“Every school rose to the occasion,” said Chef Dasen Sarugaser, who coordinated the culinary schools. “From Capsicum Rosebank and Cape Town, to HTA, IHS, and new entrants like Guvon Academy, students cooked side by side with chefs and corporate teams. The sense of joy and unity in these kitchens was electric.”

Chef Dasen described emotional moments at Ratang Bana in Alexandra, where chefs were welcomed by a brass band and the community responded with singing, dancing, and heartfelt gratitude.

“Cooking is one of the most profound acts of care,” said Chef James Khoza, speaking on behalf of all participating chefs. “On Mandela Day, we are reminded that food is not just sustenance – it’s connection, culture, and community. I am proud to stand with the chefs of South Africa in this beautiful expression of compassion.”

As always, the real heroes are the community beneficiaries who cook daily for thousands with limited resources. This campaign honours and uplifts their ongoing efforts by bringing national attention and support to their mission. Chefs with Compassion’s ongoing mission to Rescue, Cook and Feed is supported by SYSPRO.