News

Namaqua National Park, through the Corporate Social Investment (CSI) funding, reopened four soup kitchens in the community of Soebatsfontein and surrounding towns today.

The soup kitchens – located in Soebatsfontein, Hondeklip Bay, Kommagas, and Kamieskroon – had been closed due to insufficient funds and lack of resources. Their closure placed more than 400 community members, who relied on the kitchens for daily meals, at risk of malnutrition.

Through South African National Parks (SANParks)’ CSI funding and facilitation, the essential infrastructure and resources needed to restart these facilities have now been secured. The kitchens will once again provide regular meals, offering crucial support to these previously disadvantaged communities.

In addition to funding, SANParks will provide mentorship and mechanization training to local greening and gardening projects that face challenges. These initiatives aim to foster self-sufficiency, support food security, and create sustainable small businesses.

The initiative underscores SANParks’ commitment to conservation-linked community development by creating awareness on human–wildlife conflict, promoting sustainable food gardens, and addressing hunger and poverty in the Namaqua region.