When hunger hits, Limpopo widower tells children to drink water and have faith

In the second installment of Health-e News' Hungry For Change series, a Limpopo widower shares his strategy for feeding himself, his three adult children, and two young grandchildren on a tight budget. Sekhwele Mnisi, 66, lives in a two-bedroom RDP brick house in Ga-Motodi village near Burgersfort with limited resources. Each day, Mnisi receives R50 in income, which he uses to purchase food, water, wood, paraffin, and candles for his family of six.

When food is scarce, Mnisi advises his children to drink water and have faith in God's provision. They sometimes spend hours at neighbors' homes when meals run out, as they fear bothering their neighbors and being grateful. Mnisi's family faces numerous challenges, including the lack of running water, electricity, and refrigeration.

His wife's death in 2012 exacerbated their financial struggles, as she was responsible for cooking, laundry, and providing income through farming. Despite repeated attempts, their home remains the only one in the village without electricity. Mnisi continues to search for odd jobs to support his family, always reminding them to drink water and have faith when hunger strikes.