Cape Town: For the third year in a row, the City of Cape Town received a multi-tonne food donation to help with immediate food relief to vulnerable communities from the Taipei Liaison Office in Cape Town, facilitated through a longstanding 13-year partnership.
Acting on behalf of the City of Cape Town, the Chief Whip of Council – Councillor Desiree Visagie, accepted this contribution on February 10, 2026 marking it as another significant gesture under the leadership of the Director-General of the Taipei Liaison Office – Lily Chen. This act not only exemplifies commendable generosity but also represents a meaningful step towards addressing a critical societal need with affordable sustenance.
Cllr Visagie stated that the relationship between the City and the Taipei Liaison Office is one that has been carefully nurtured over many years. It is a partnership defined not only by its longevity, now extending beyond a decade, but by its substance comprising of shared values, mutual respect and a clear commitment to uplift communities through tangible action.
This donation is a powerful expression of that commitment. The City Council has received four tonnes (or 136 bags) of rice, together with two tonnes of fresh butternut, contributed by a local Taiwanese donor – Bodhi Park. These supplies will play a critical role in supporting the City’s food relief initiatives and community feeding programmes across Cape Town.
The timing of this support is especially significant. The city, like so many others nationally, but particularly in the Western Cape is facing immense pressure as fires have displaced families, leaving many residents without homes, possessions or access to basic nutrition. In these moments of crisis, food security becomes an urgent and immediate concern.
For the most vulnerable residents, these donations represented not only sustenance, but reassurance that they have not been forgotten. Staple foods such as rice remain essential for many households, offering reliable, affordable nourishment, while fresh produce like butternut contributes to healthier, more balanced meals.
Together, these contributions will assist thousands of people who are navigating extraordinarily difficult circumstances. The donations demonstrate the strength of global solidarity and the meaningful difference partnerships across borders. What they acknowledge today goes beyond the value of the food itself. It reflects a shared understanding that social responsibility is collective, and that compassion, when paired with action, has the power to restore dignity and hope.
Councillor Desiree Visagie said, “On behalf of the City, its leadership, its Speaker, Alderman Felicity Purchase, and especially its most vulnerable residents, I extend our heartfelt thanks to the Taipei Liaison Office, to Bodhi Park, and to everyone involved in making this contribution possible.” He added that their continued support strengthens the ability to respond to hardship and to care for those most in need.