Some events are remembered for how many people attended. Others are remembered for how they made people feel.
Last Friday’s Ashurah Feeding Programme at Radio Al Ansaar PMB will be remembered for both.
From the moment distribution began, there was a constant flow of vehicles through the drive-through while families, elderly residents and individuals arrived on foot to collect warm meals. Volunteers moved swiftly between serving stations, directing traffic, greeting walk-in visitors and filling container after container as the queues continued to grow.
The response was overwhelming.
The aroma of freshly prepared akni and kitchra filled the air as volunteers worked tirelessly to keep pace with the demand. Before anyone had a chance to catch their breath, meals were leaving almost as quickly as they could be served. The queues barely had time to shorten before another wave of families arrived, highlighting both the need within the community and the generosity of those who had made the initiative possible.
The programme featured two deghs of akni and two deghs of kitchra, enough to provide an estimated several hundred meals. Alongside the hot meals, recipients also received a variety of additional treats and refreshments, generously donated by sponsors whose support helped make the day even more special for families.
Thanks to the carefully coordinated drive-through system and walk-in collection point, the distribution ran smoothly despite the large turnout. Whether arriving by car or on foot, every person was welcomed with the same warmth, dignity and spirit of service that have become hallmarks of community initiatives such as these.
While the meals themselves brought comfort, the day represented something far greater.
Ashurah is a time of reflection, gratitude and generosity, reminding us that caring for one another is one of the greatest acts of worship. Feeding people is among the simplest expressions of compassion, yet its impact extends far beyond a single meal. For many families, the food placed on their tables last Friday was accompanied by something equally valuable—the reassurance that their community had not forgotten them.
Behind every container served stood a team of dedicated volunteers, generous sponsors and donors who gave their time, resources and energy without seeking recognition. Their collective efforts transformed an act of charity into a powerful display of unity, proving once again what can be achieved when a community comes together in the service of others.
In a world where headlines are often dominated by hardship and division, moments like these deserve to be celebrated. They remind us that kindness still thrives, often quietly, through ordinary people doing extraordinary things for the sake of Allah and for the benefit of those around them.
By the time the final container had been handed over, the serving pots were empty. Yet across Pietermaritzburg, dinner tables were full. Hundreds of families shared warm meals prepared with care, many never knowing the names of the volunteers who had stood behind the serving tables that morning.
They may never know every hand that made it possible.
But they experienced what Ashurah is truly about—a community that shows up for one another with sincerity, compassion and generosity.
Radio Al Ansaar PMB extends its heartfelt gratitude to every sponsor, donor, volunteer and community member who contributed to the success of the initiative. Your support ensured that what began as a meal became something far greater: a reminder that the strongest communities are built not only by what they achieve, but by what they are willing to share.
Article written by:
Hudaa Ahmed
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
