History

Our Story

Mama Sindiswa Manxeba (Ma’Sindy) was born in the Eastern Cape and moved to Cape Town in the 1970s, during the harsh years of apartheid. At that time, women needed passes to move around, and many carried the weight of fear and resilience. She arrived in Hout Bay, where she worked for decades as a domestic worker.

After retiring just before COVID‑19, Mama Sindiswa reflected on how she could continue serving her community. Inspired by her late brother, a respected bishop, and her years of involvement in school governing bodies, she stepped forward when the pandemic struck. Though over sixty and vulnerable, she volunteered at the local primary school to cook and distribute food to children and families. Her courage during those uncertain times drew attention and admiration, and soon people encouraged her to continue feeding the community.

During the COVID‑19 lockdown (2020), she gave up half of her own home to start what is now the Masindy Happy Soup Kitchen. From there, she not only fed families but also cared for children whose parents were at work, and later welcomed children without parents or those referred by social services.

As the soup kitchen grew, partnerships formed—with local organizations and international supporters. These collaborations strengthened her mission and allowed the kitchen to serve more people.

✨ New Milestone  

In 2026, Mama Sindiswa achieved another milestone: she officially opened a new property dedicated to a preschool and daycare, expanding beyond her home to provide structured early childhood education. This marks a new chapter in her journey, ensuring that children in Hout Bay have a safe, nurturing start in life.

Today, Masindy Happy Soup Kitchen and Preschool stand as symbols of resilience, compassion, and community empowerment.

Today, Mama Sindiswa is supported by a dedicated team of colleagues who assist her daily. Some work alongside her in the soup kitchen at her home, others help run the daycare, and more are based at the new preschool property. Together, they ensure that meals are prepared, children are cared for, and the vision continues to grow.

Beyond daily meals, Mama Sindiswa also steps in during community crises such as fires or flooding, cooking and providing relief to families in urgent need. Her willingness to respond in times of disaster has made her a trusted figure and a source of hope in Hout Bay.

The journey from giving up half her home during COVID‑19 to now running both a soup kitchen and an official preschool has only been possible thanks to the partners and sponsors who have stood by her since the beginning.

Here you will also find videos documenting the early days of the soup kitchen, filmed by a local filmmaker who has been part of this journey from the start. These stories show how far the initiative has come and how much further it can go with continued support.