Active Citizenship

From one meal to a movement

Seventeen-year-old Michael-Daniel Bam was recently recognised by the Western Cape Government for his commitment to tackling food insecurity, inequality and youth empowerment. The former Junior City of Cape Town Mayor sat down with us to share the story behind his passion for giving back and creating opportunities for others.

It all started with a conversation at Rondebosch Common.

But the seeds of Bam's commitment to community work were planted long before that evening.

At just seven years old, he spent his December school holidays at his father's organisation, which supported blind and visually impaired people on the Cape Flats.

"I would spend a lot of my time with him at the office because during my December holidays, there's nobody at home to watch me. It would be at the office, keep myself busy from seven till seven."

Initially, he helped with everyday tasks, from stapling papers to cleaning chairs. But eventually, he wanted to do more.

"I was like, this is quite a cool place. Why don't I do something to try and raise money?"

Inspired by the organisation's work, he returned to school with an idea to organise a holiday club where young people could learn about the experiences of people who are blind or visually impaired. Activities included colouring exercises using drawings outlined with sand, learning to pour a glass of water without sight and introductory Braille workshops.

His fundraising efforts attracted just one participant and raised R100. Although modest, the experience left a lasting impression.

"I think it gave me a good lesson, in that the R100 was still appreciated by the people there. They heard of what I was doing, and they came to me, and they were like, thank you."

A different perspective on Cape Town

In 2023, Bam and his family moved from Grassy Park to Claremont, giving him a different perspective on the inequalities that shape Cape Town.

Having experienced both communities, he began noticing the stark differences between the more affluent parts of the city and the realities faced by many others.

"Having spent time in both areas, I got to see the difference between the rest of Cape Town and then the majority of Cape Town. And it's a very big gap, and it's a very stark difference," he says.

The experience made him more conscious of the inequalities around him and where he could make a difference.

It was against this backdrop that an encounter at Rondebosch Common gave him an opportunity to turn that awareness into action.

While regularly walking his dog in the park, Bam often passed the same man. One evening, instead of simply walking past, he decided to stop and introduce himself.

"I was like, wait, normally I just walk past him because I'm focused on, I need to get home, I've got school tomorrow. So one day, I was like, no, let me stop and greet him."

The man's name was Shepherd. Bam learnt that he and his family had been living in the park because they were homeless. With Christmas approaching, Bam thought about sharing some of his family's leftover food with them. His mother, however, challenged him to do more.

"If you're going to give Shepherd and his family a meal, you're going to make a meal for them," she told him.

Using his pocket money and savings, Bam bought the ingredients and prepared a meal which he shared with Shepherd's family and other people experiencing homelessness in the area.

What started as one Christmas meal in December 2023 has since grown into several community initiatives reaching hundreds of people.

From one meal to a movement

The following year, Bam raised funds for an Easter edition of the initiative, reaching 150 people. Today, it reaches approximately 250 people twice a year and has grown into a broader programme addressing different community needs.

Project Eudaimonia, named after the Greek concept of human flourishing, focuses on bringing moments of joy to people through community meals.

Project Plýsi, developed in partnership with Edendale Primary School in Manenberg, focuses on hygiene and personal care. Once a term, Bam and his team spend a day with the school's girls, offering pampering sessions and distributing essential hygiene products.

Inspired by his sister's birthday celebration, Bam approached local hairdressers to volunteer their time to style the girls' hair. The initiative has since expanded to include manicures and hygiene essentials such as face cloths, toothbrushes, deodorant and sanitary pads.

"These are things that we take for granted, that we've got every day, that oftentimes we just expect to be there. But I can't imagine living without them," he says.

Through Project Entelechy, Bam extends his work beyond his immediate community by mentoring young people from across the country who want to establish or grow their own initiatives. Having received messages from young people seeking advice, he saw an opportunity to share the lessons from his own journey.

"I get to say, right, here's what I did, and what didn't work out. This is what I did, and what did work out. And so this is how you can also take that and apply it in your context, in your corner of the country or corner of the world."

His newest initiative, Project Lotus, focuses on supporting Locos High School. Following the establishment of a computer laboratory, the project aims to identify further areas where learners and educators need support, drawing on the expertise of people Bam encounters through his work.

Lifting others as we move forward

Bam credits much of his passion for community work to his parents and grandmother. His father, who continues to work in diversity, equity and inclusion, has inspired him through his understanding of social development, while his mother has taught him the importance of compassion and practical kindness.

Asked how young people can help move society forward, Bam believes it begins with lifting one another.

"Too often in our society, people have to get to the top by pushing others down. But I think what we need to realise is that the only way to move forward is to bring everybody around you with you. We [also need] realise that behind every username on [the] screen, or every number in a statistic, is a human being. We need to be more human.”

His advice to young people who want to take ownership of their futures and make a difference is simple: start somewhere.

"Do something."

Bam says his own journey never began with a grand plan to change the world. It started with a desire to help Shepherd and his family. He encourages young people to pursue what they are passionate about rather than waiting for the perfect strategy.

"Just drive straight in, take that first step, and we'll figure out the rest later."

For Bam, active citizenship is not an abstract concept. It is about recognising the challenges around you, taking responsibility and doing something to make a difference.