Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za

06 November 2025

3-minute read

Shaatirah Baboo Hassim is an attorney deeply involved in Human Rights and Social Justice work, specialising in education law, gender based violence, family law and various other legal streams of work. Inspired to make a lasting change within underserved communities, she began with something as simple as sandwiches and realised that kindness doesn’t always come in large gestures, sometimes, it can even come in a single slice of bread.

Every Slice Matters is a grassroots initiative that began in 2017 by Shaatirah and a “small group of ladies” in the Montgomery Park, Northcliff, and Bergbron area. Concerned for the patients who queue for hours at local hospitals and clinics without having anything to eat, the ladies were prompted to start this “humble sandwich project” at the Hillbrow Hospital to share sandwiches with them.  With the intention to feed the hungry and those who are struggling, the project then grew into a weekly sandwich drive. In 2019, the project expanded to a clinic in Soweto and when this could no longer continue due to various reasons, the group approached a madrassah in Westbury, requesting them to allow them to share this beautiful act of service with the learners.

Presently, Every Slice Matters supplies sandwiches to approximately a hundred students at the madrassah. The project is funded by ladies who volunteer to make the sandwiches “as and when they are able to do so”. Shaatirah says that despite their being no particular roster dictating whose turn it is to make the sandwiches, alhamdulillah, every week their target is met. They usually put a poster out by the end of the weekend, and every Tuesday sandwiches get dropped off at her place and are collected the following day by the Sheikh and the Apa from the Westbury Madrassah. Excited children eagerly await the distribution of the sandwiches and treats every week. “It’s just a slice of bread, but for them it means so much more.”

Key lessons that they have learnt from working among these marginalised communities is the sad reality that some people really don’t have access to basic needs like food and healthcare. “It intersects with the work I do,” says Shaatirah, making her aware of the needs of these children and their appreciation for something as small and simple as a sandwich. Of course, it’s now no longer “just a sandwich.” The ladies from Every Slice Matters have gone above and beyond the call of duty and have added on little treats like fruit, sweets, cupcakes and crisps with every thoughtfully prepared sandwich, making a huge impact on the learners.

Although Shaatirah is unaware of whether their project has been replicated anywhere else, ladies from other areas have reached out to them and joined in their sandwich distribution, even showing interest in doing something similar in other areas. With so many underprivileged communities on our doorsteps, she says that you don’t have to go far out to reach out and get involved. “We don’t even have to know who’s doing it,” Shaatirah laughs, “it’s just coming!”

Each week, Every Slice Matters spreads not just food, but hope — with sandwiches, snacks, and treats that remind young learners that their community sees them, values them, and believes they matter. Shaatirah brings her compassion from the courtroom to the classroom, proving that service and sincerity can work hand in hand.

Listen to the full interview with Ml Sulaimaan Ravat and Shaatirah Baboo Hassim.