Despite the recent additions of five new restaurants and food shops at the Neelsie Student Centre, Muslim students still have limited options for the quality and variety of cooked food on the Stellenbosch University (SU) campus.
This is according to Safira Govender, chairperson of the Muslim Students Association at (SU).
There are three shops in the Neelsie that are halaal – Mariams Kitchen, Sweetbeet and Crumbs and Cream, stated Martin Viljoen, spokesperson for SU, in written correspondence with MatieMedia.
Kwikspar stocks halaal products but no halaal preparation takes place in the shop, said Viljoen. “Sausage Saloon also offers [halaal] products but their kitchen is not [halaal] certified.”
Halaal is an Arabic word which means “lawful” or “permissible” and “encompasses all aspects of food, hygiene and quality”, according to the South African National Halaal Authority (SANHA). Food and non-food items that would be deemed haram (unhalaal) include pig and all its derivatives, dog and all its derivatives, alcohol, and blood. This is according to the Muslim Judicial Council’s website. PHOTO: Na’ilah Ebrahim
Limited options
Muslim people at SU and the wider Stellenbosch area do not have a lot of halaal options, said Wardah Cassiem, owner of Wadi’s Kitchen, a halaal food stall at the Co-Create Hub.
“I have come across people who mentioned that the [halaal] food options are so limited [in Stellenbosch],” she said. “Even parents from the university have contacted me privately to find out if I can make halaal food for their children [in residences].”Govender, who believes that there is a large Muslim community in Stellenbosch, told MatieMedia that students have complained to her about the apparent lack of halaal options on campus.
Wardah Cassie, owner of Wadi’s Kitchen, has operated her food stall at the CoCreate Hub for six months. Stellenbosch University (SU) students come to her stall during lunch time to buy supper, said Cassiem. “A lot of people do not understand and are not educated on what [halaal means]. […] Your cutlery, your plate that you’re mixing with, the things that you cut with […] everything has a significance.” PHOTO: Na’ilah Ebrahim
‘Some improvement’
SU residences Metanoia, Irene, Goldfields, Harmonie and Monica have halaal-certified kitchens, said Viljoen. Huis Russel Botman House serves halaal takeaways, which are accessible to all students and staff, he added.
“SU respects the religious beliefs and cultures of all staff and students. […] The university has, over the years, added facilities to cater for Muslim students,” stated Viljoen. The university has a prayer room in the Neelsie and hopes to increase the amount of kitchens that can cater for Muslim students, he added.
Besides fast food, Muslims have a very limited halaal food options, said Safirah Governder, chairperson of the Muslim Students Association (MSA). The MSA has spoken to management leading up to this year with regards to getting more halaal options, said Govender. SU management has been very receptive to such concerns of the MSA and Muslim students, said Govender. PHOTO: Na’ilah Ebrahim
“I think the university is making good progress towards accommodating us and I can only hope to see that in the near future there will be even more options and provisions made available to students,” said Govender.
Understanding halaal
In order for food to be considered halaal, one has to take into account the food’s ingredients, supply chain and supervision in the kitchen, according to Moulana Abdul Wahab Wookay, chief executive officer of the National Independent Halaal Trust (NIHT).
“You also have to ensure that there is no contamination between something that is halaal and something that is not halaal,” said Wookay.
Three shops in the Neelsie Student Centre are halaal, according to Martin Viljoen, spokesperson for Stellenbosch University – Mariams Kitchen, Sweetbeets and Crumbs and Cream. “The Neelsie management carefully selects a mix of tenants for the Neelsie for the convenience of students and staff,” said Martin Viljoen, spokesperson for Stellenbosch University. PHOTO: Na’ilah Ebrahim