In isiZulu, the language of the Zulu people, "Holanathi" translates to "Grow with us." This name couldn't be more fitting for the foundation that's making a significant impact in the fight against malnutrition in South Africa.
Holanathi is a foundation that provides nutritional intervention by distributing fortified and enriched food products to those in need. The goal is to provide long-term solutions to malnutrition, which has been a significant challenge in the country for years.
The foundation's approach to nourishment has brought tangible results and proven the belief that the organization initiates strongly in providing a better life for those they serve. Holanathi finds faith in its dedication to feeding the tummies of many children, ensuring they're healthy and well-nourished.
But Holanathi is more than just a food distribution program. The organization epitomizes its vision by not only striving to grow and invest in human capital but to also grow and invest in the communities and economy of South Africa. They believe that investing in the community's well-being will create a brighter future for everyone.
To learn more about the Holanathi foundation and the people behind it, we spoke with Gina Athanassioua, a South African-born female from Greek descent, who grew up in the South of Johannesburg. Gina is the youngest of three children, and her father is a doctor, while her mother is a businesswoman. Now residing in Pretoria after living abroad for many years, Gina shared with us the background story of Holanathi and where they are heading.
"Holanathi started in 2014 when a group of like-minded individuals got together to brainstorm ways to combat malnutrition in South Africa," Gina explained. "We saw that while there were many initiatives focused on providing short-term solutions to hunger, there were few that addressed the root causes of malnutrition."
The team at Holanathi realized that long-term solutions were needed to ensure that people didn't fall back into a cycle of malnutrition. So they set out to create a sustainable program that would provide the necessary nutrients to those in need.
"Our program is based on the idea that fortified and enriched food products can help prevent malnutrition," Gina said. "By providing people with the right nutrients, we can help them grow and develop in a healthy way, which will have a positive impact on their lives for years to come."
Holanathi's efforts have been fruitful. They've distributed over 300,000 meals to date and have seen significant improvements in the health of those they serve. But the team knows that there's still much work to be done.
"Our vision is to expand our reach and impact," Gina said. "We want to continue to grow and invest in the people and communities we serve, ensuring that everyone has access to the nutrients they need to thrive."
Holanathi's mission is inspiring, and the team's dedication to creating sustainable solutions to malnutrition is commendable. They are proof that, with the right approach and a commitment to making a difference, we can tackle even the most challenging issues facing our communities.