The Temba Bavuma Foundation is stepping up its commitment to supporting vulnerable children in Johannesburg through a partnership with KFC aimed at strengthening and expanding the Frida Hartley Shelter’s Lunchbox Project.
The initiative provides daily meals to schoolchildren in Yeoville, with approximately 200 children currently receiving lunchboxes on every school day. The project has been operated by the Frida Hartley Shelter (FHS) for several years and has become an important source of nutrition for children in the community.
Through the new partnership, the Temba Bavuma Foundation will take responsibility for the project’s long-term sustainability and fundraising, while KFC’s support will contribute to expanding its reach and ensuring that more children can benefit.
For many of the children who visit the shelter before school, the lunchbox they receive may be the only dependable meal they have during the day.
The Foundation believes that access to food is closely linked to a child’s ability to learn. Hunger can affect concentration, participation and overall classroom performance, making nutrition an important part of creating meaningful educational opportunities.
The partnership between the Foundation and FHS is also built on an existing relationship.
The Foundation has supported the shelter through food drives over the years, making its involvement in the Lunchbox Project a natural progression of their work together.
Under the Foundation’s stewardship, the project will continue providing nutritious sandwiches to around 200 children each school day, with plans to increase its capacity. On certain days, the initiative has already provided meals to as many as 300 children.
Temba Bavuma, founder of the Temba Bavuma Foundation, said the initiative reflects the organisation’s belief that education and a child’s wellbeing cannot be separated.
“At the Foundation, we have always believed that you cannot separate a child’s education from their wellbeing. A hungry child is not a child who lacks potential. They are a child who has been let down by circumstance,” Bavuma said.
“By taking on the Lunchbox Project, we are making sure that no child in this community has to choose between being fed and being fully present at school.”
The Frida Hartley Shelter also welcomed the Foundation’s involvement, highlighting the importance of nutrition in helping children prepare for the school day.
“At FHS, we believe that education starts with a meal. By feeding children, we help create classrooms where they are healthy, present and ready to learn,” the shelter said.
KFC People, Culture and Purpose Director Andra Nel said the company was proud to support the initiative and contribute towards creating opportunities for young people.
“At KFC, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow and reach their potential, and we know that is not possible without proper nutrition,” Nel said.
“We are honoured to support the Temba Bavuma Foundation and the Frida Hartley Shelter in feeding future potential. Together, we can help ensure that more children are able to focus on what matters most: their future.”
The Lunchbox Project forms part of the Temba Bavuma Foundation’s wider work in education, cricket and community development.
The partnership comes as the Foundation celebrates its 10th anniversary, marking a decade of initiatives aimed at creating opportunities and supporting young people and communities.
