News & Events

On Thursday, 28 May 2026, the Peninsula School Feeding Association (PSFA) hosted its annual Principals’ Protocol Meeting at Southpoint Studios in Pinelands, bringing together school leaders to reflect on the organisation’s impact and strengthen collective efforts to address child hunger across the Western Cape.

Held on World Hunger Day, the gathering embraced the global theme, “The End of Hunger is in Our Hands,” underscoring the critical role that schools, communities, non-profit organisations and corporate partners play in ensuring that no child has to learn on an empty stomach.

The meeting commenced with registration and a warm welcome session that set the tone for a day of meaningful engagement, collaboration and strategic discussion. PSFA’s director, Petrina Pakoe, guided delegates through PSFA’s Cycle of Impact, a framework that illustrates how every stakeholder contributes to PSFA’s mission of feeding vulnerable children. The cycle begins with identifying beneficiary schools and securing donor support, followed by procuring nutritious ingredients, warehousing and distribution, programme implementation, monitoring and evaluation, accurate reporting, and ongoing awareness-raising.

PSFA’s donors, suppliers, warehouse & logistics team, administrative staff and schools each represent a vital link in this chain. Together, these interconnected processes ensure accountability, demonstrate measurable impact, and strengthen donor confidence, retention and investment. The session highlighted how each link plays a critical role in sustaining the feeding programme and enabling PSFA to provide nutritious meals to thousands of children every school day.

A key component of the programme was the Review of Reports session, during which principals and stakeholders engaged in a constructive discussion around both the successes and challenges experienced across the feeding programme. The session provided an opportunity to analyse key findings, share lessons learned, identify emerging trends within schools, and explore practical strategies to strengthen programme implementation, accountability and overall impact. Through open dialogue and collaborative problem-solving, participants gained valuable insights into ways to enhance service delivery and ensure that more children benefit from a nutritious meal every school day.

The meeting also included a practical Gas Compliance Input session that provided schools with key information to ensure safe, compliant food-preparation environments. This reflects PSFA’s ongoing commitment to maintaining the highest standards of safety and operational excellence across its feeding programme.

One of the highlights of the day was a thought-provoking Leadership Insight presentation by Kubeshni Govender-Jones, speaking in her capacity as Chief Executive Officer of Common Purpose. Drawing on the World Hunger Day theme, “The End of Hunger is in Our Hands,” she challenged principals to view school feeding not as a support function, but as an essential part of making education possible. Emphasising that hungry children struggle with concentration, dignity and readiness to learn, she highlighted the critical role of leadership in ensuring that feeding programmes are delivered with care, accountability and consistency. Govender introduced two practical leadership frameworks—See, Sort, Shift and Core and Flex—to help principals address challenges effectively while maintaining non-negotiable standards of child dignity, safety, ethical conduct and accountability.

She encouraged school leaders to look beyond surface-level problems, identify root causes, create sustainable solutions, and adapt operational practices without compromising the programme’s core values. Her message reinforced that ending hunger requires more than good intentions; it requires attentive leadership, strong systems, clear standards and unwavering follow-through. By fostering a culture of responsibility and care, principals can strengthen feeding programmes and ensure that every child receives the nutrition and dignity they deserve.

The event concluded with a closing review and networking lunch, allowing participants to reflect on the day’s discussions and strengthen relationships that support the shared mission of feeding children and building brighter futures.

As the world marked World Hunger Day, the Principals’ Protocol Meeting served as a powerful reminder that ending hunger requires collective action. Through partnerships with schools, donors, volunteers and community stakeholders, PSFA continues to demonstrate that sustainable solutions are possible when people work together with purpose and determination.

The Peninsula School Feeding Association extends its sincere gratitude to all the school principals and senior staff who participated in the event and who continue to champion the fight against child hunger. Together, we can ensure that every child has access to the nutrition they need to learn, grow and thrive, because the end of hunger is truly in our hands.