Join the Denis Hurley Centre in spreading holiday cheer: Volunteer opportunities available

The Denis Hurley Centre (DHC) annual meal of reconciliation on December 16 may have ended but volunteers are needed to help with serving meals throughout the festive season.

The meal brings together a wide range of people: homeless and housed, South Africans and foreign nationals, all faiths, and all colours. Nearly 380 people united in sharing a meal at the DHC on December 16, in Durban. 

Raymond Perrier, director of the DHC, said that funding for the DHC comes primarily from individuals, faith groups, and businesses in the metro area who want to show solidarity with fellow Durbanites who are less fortunate.

“Durban is not a poor city – it is just a very unequal city. That is why our meal of reconciliation is so important. The day is especially important to us,” he said.

The founder of DHC, Paddy Kearney, in the 1980s, first wrote about reimagining the 16 December – a famously divisive day – as a day of reconciliation for all South Africans. Reflecting on the importance of this message, DHC also noticed how all religious communities have a shared meal as part of their rituals.

“That is how we had the idea to create a meal which focuses on what we have in common rather than what divides us. Part of that is a love of cakes and cool drinks – and we are grateful to those who donated,” Perrier said.

Perrier was also grateful for the attendance of councillor Cyril Xaba, the mayor of eThekwini, saying it was a great opportunity for him to get an insight into what the DHC did and also to speak to some homeless people himself and share a meal with them.

“Gestures of solidarity are very important. But only if they are symbolic of something deeper. As a community, we also need to call out and challenge actions of abuse, neglect and intimidation. We need to support all those who are trying to make a positive difference in our city,” Perrier said. 

Xaba commended the DHC for the initiative.

“It demonstrates that addressing the challenge of homelessness is a collective responsibility,” he said.

The DHC welcomes volunteers to help with serving meals throughout the festive season. The times are 8-10am or 11am-1pm on Saturday 27, Sunday 28, Tuesday 30, Wednesday 31 December or Thursday 1, Saturday 3 or Sunday 4 January 2026.

zainul.dawood@inl.co.za