The St.Michael and All Angels Anglican Church in Observatory, was abuzz on Wednesday 28 September as is the norm at around 17:00 on a Wednesday.
The church hall filled up fast as people living on the street came and sat down for their weekly pasta serving provided by Obs Pasta Kitchen.
But an unusual sadness hangs in the air.
Volunteers and clients alike could not contain their emotions as they sang songs, prayed, meditated and ate pasta paying homage to their beloved Kimon “Kiki” Bisogno – the women who started the Obs Pasta Kitchen five years ago.
Bisogno (38) died on Sunday 25 September following a shark attack at Central Beach in Plettenberg Bay.
She was on a family weekend breakaway when the tragedy happened. This was the second shark attack in this region this year, following another one in June.
“Kiki has gone away before; she’s been on a six-week holiday. And at this point for me it feels like she is on holiday.
“We are all sad but this place can lift your spirits,” says Dani Saporetti, co-founder of the kitchen.
An emotional Saporetti briefed the dozens of volunteers who came to assist on Wednesday and said: “I need all of you to love what we do here as much as Kiki and I have for five years. And that’s creating a space where people feel seen and heard, a sense of normal for people that are often overlooked. A safe space to share a meal and conversation with the hope that if people know that we believe in them they will know that there is more.”
She says they will continue Bisogno’s legacy.
“Our dream is huge but it all starts with more than just a bowl of pasta, so we will go on. Just keep showing up. Every time we come here we are honouring Kimon.”
“She was Observatory’s Mother Theresa.” This is how Rev Timothy Lowes, Rector at St.Michaels and All Angels Anglican Church, describes Bisogno.
“She just got on with things, she didn’t draw attention to herself. And what I love about the Obs Pasta Kitchen team is that it’s not really about the pasta, it’s the dignity and humanity that comes into it. That is what Jesus did, He journeyed with people in their hour of need.”
Lowes says the community lost a giant, but he believes her good work will carry on.
“If what you started is of God it will survive. Kiki is handing over the baton. I do believe what she has implanted in the community and the mindset is deep and I’m sure it will carry on.”
Pieter-Johannes Ebersohn has been a volunteer at the kitchen since its inception.
He explains that he experienced similar challenges like many of the clients at the kitchen and was invited by Bisogno to join the volunteer team.
“She brought me here five years ago and I never left since. She always helped where she can. Kimon was friendly, kind and giving. I will miss that about her, it hasn’t sunk in yet that she is no longer here.”
Bisogno was involved in various civic organisations and projects within the community.
She was co-owner of Ferdinando’s Pizza, which she ran with her husband Diego.
The couple also have a daughter together.
Residents, friends and restaurant goers flocked to Ferdinando’s Pizza based in Lower Main Road to deliver flowers and wrote messages on a large collage displayed in the restaurant.
Rodney Ngulubu, employee at Ferdinando’s Pizza, says: “She was humble person and had a simple approach to everything.
“She was a lovely mother and allowed us to have fun.”
