For five years, a Stellenbosch braai has brought volunteers and people living on the streets together over food on Heritage Day at Die Braak in Stellenbosch.
Danie Van Tonder hands food to a homeless person during the fifth annual Heritage Day braai at Die Braak in Stellenbosch on 24 September. The event is run by volunteers. PHOTO: Mophethi Mabeba
The event, now in its fifth year, is run by a self-organised group of volunteers and funded from their own pockets. Danie Van Tonder, one of the organisers, estimated that approximately 300 people came through during the morning.
Volunteers prepare meat at Die Braak during the annual Heritage Day braai, which has been running for five years and is organised through word of mouth. PHOTO: Mophethi Mabeba
“We decided what we can do together to just see if we can braai and make a difference at the same time,” Van Tonder said.
The fires were lit at 08:30, with food being handed out from 10:00. People hear about the event largely through word of mouth, according to Van Tonder.
For Rumain Damons, who attended the event, the braai has become an annual fixture.
“Elke jaar ek is hier [every year I am here],” he said. “Dit beteken baie vir my [it means a lot to me.]”
Damons said the volunteers “care about us who are on the streets and the whole community”.
People wait to receive food during the Heritage Day braai at Die Braak. Organiser Danie van Tonder estimated that about 300 people attended this year. PHOTO: Mophethi Mabeba
Andri Malan, Stellenbosch resident, came across the event while walking past. She said the atmosphere reminded her of a Springboks final.
“It just felt so proud to be South African and felt inspired to do something similar in future,” she said.
Malan said the event showed people in different circumstances coming together.
“People are people and a boerie can help to bridge that gap,” she said.
A volunteer adds meat to the fire while others continue preparing food nearby on 24 September. PHOTO: Mophethi Mabeba
The event relies on volunteers, and Van Tonder said people can return next year to help braai, hand out food, cut bread or assist in other ways.
The group plans to return to Die Braak for another Heritage Day braai next year.