Fix My Food South Africa is a coalition of young people advocating for a fairer food system where healthy food is available, accessible, and affordable for every child and youth. This responds to global trends that increasingly seek to transform the food environment.
Under the Fix My Food banner, youth advocates act as agents of change. Through various activities, such as youth-based activations, running online polls, producing social media content, and writing an open letter to the Minister of Health asking for change, Fix My Food is gaining momentum.
In this first post, we highlight Khaurisa Makhubele (20), a student at the University of Western Cape.
As a talented poet, Khaurisa uses the power of words, to share her frustrations and concerns with others. Through storytelling and rhyme, she reveals the pain of poor nutrition and its effects on individuals, families and communities.
In this way, Khaurisa has been a channel for others to hear the echo of their own voice and say that we need to stand together to ensure equitable access to affordable nutrition food.
I have learnt about the power of my voice, as well as the strength of a group of united voices, to make an impact in improving the world.
Chukela
My name is Khaurisa
I hail from Limpopo
Where the mountains never end
And the birds always sing
I was raised by a community of beautiful women
The blueprint to Wakanda
And the origins of womandla
One of these woman’s names was Aus Amanda
She had the most beautiful smile
And the smoothest skin
Growing up she taught me a song sung by the northern bird
Matlho a ka a vodile
Ka go otswa swikiri
Khristmas i fitlhile
The bird would sing all Christmas
Singing the story of how its eyes have gone blind
From stealing all the sugar that was meant for Christmas
Aus Amanda would sing this song every Christmas
While baking scones
And making tea for all the guest ls in the house
Matlho a ka a nodule
Ka go utswa swikiri
Khristmas i fitlhile
In the tongue of my mother Venda
When a story is told we say salungano salungano
And those listening respond with salungano
Let’s practice so i will say salungano salungano
And you will reply with salungano
Just like the Northern Bird
Like a thief in the night
The sugar took Aus’Amandas eyes
Don’t worry about it though
It was not the first time the sugar stole from us
It took Buti Tshepos Hand
Mhan Glory’s foot
And Gugu’s Moses life
The sugar always punished us for its sweetness
Matlho a ka a bodile
Ka go utswa swikiri
Khristmas i fithlile
This was the not the first the sugar punished us for its sweetness
Salungano Salungano
