Cape Town - A lack of healthy eating in townships has spurred two unemployed men from Khayelitsha to start a health market in the area to combat what they call “one of the most critical issues in their community”.
Xolisa Bangani, 28, and Athenkosi Ndulula, 25, organised a healthy food market day called “Impilo Market” in Khayelitsha on Saturday.
They invited a few local gardeners and chefs to showcase their talent to the community.
Bangani said: “The main purpose of the event is to improve healthy food in our community in a way of promoting a healthy lifestyle. We found out that health is one of the critical issues in our community, so we are trying to create and sell healthy food for our community as we know there are some organic food they can’t afford from the markets and also to encourage people to eat (well) to keep their bodies healthy. We are doing this for the sake of our idea of promoting healthy food in our community. We are not just doing events.”
Ndulula said: “This was our third time hosting the Impilo Market in the community, but we also wanted to involve people in food production because we feel it is important due to the circumstances such as climate change and drought.”
One of the vendors, Ludwe Qamata, 28, said he had been gardening from a young age. “I used to help people with my mobile gardening business and help people to use empty spaces to plant veggies. I came here to sell different vegetable seeds to the household gardener and to provide services like helping people who want to maintain their gardens.”
Food producer and gardener Sophumla Ntoyanto, 21, started selling “Hlwaps” juice made of apple, beetroot, lemon, ginger and cucumber, this year.
“I started gardening when I was in the Eastern Cape. My grandmother taught me how to plant, produce food and to maintain a garden. I came here to sell my fresh juice. I feel good to be part of this event as it is my first time to be invited. I am unemployed. I only survive with catering for events.”
“I came here to sell steamed bread and stew,” said Elizabeth Makhalinyani.
Vuyokazi Majiya sells fruit and vegetable pizzas. “My pizzas are totally different from other usual pizzas, they are made with fruits and vegetables. I am happy to attend this event because I got the chance to showcase my talent to people who are not aware of what I’m selling.”
CAPE ARGUS