You might recognise the name Kimon ‘Kiki’ Bisogno as the victim of the Sunday morning shark attack in Plettenberg Bay. But who was she outside of this?
39 years old and Cape Town-based, Bisogno was a humanitarian and active member of her community, as well as a mother. Her philanthropic and kind-hearted lifestyle made a positive impact on a grass-roots level, with many locals knowing her as someone generous and helpful.
Bisogno was the co-founder of Obs Pasta Kitchen, an initiative serving homemade pasta to homeless people on Wednesday evenings. This was run with her husband and business partner, Diego Milesi, out of their restaurant, Ferdinando’s Pizza, in Observatory.
Picture: Facebook / Kimon Bisogno
Also read: Ferdinando’s – Cape Town’s best pizza parlour means business
Bisogno also ran a wellness programme every Wednesday morning, teaching meditation, yoga and life skills to the homeless and those in need. She was known for teaching laughter yoga – an exercise involving breathing and laughter with the intent to release stress and cultivate joy.
Picture: Facebook / Kimon Bisogno
Recently, Bisogno had been working with the Development Action Group (DAG) to provide support to the Rainbow House – a housing shelter in Observatory which aims to provide a safe space for homeless individuals during the transition period to get back on their feet. Bisogno and her partner contributed food, gas and other essentials to the Rainbow House.
There has been an outpouring of love for Bisogno and her family on social media, with people noting her amazing and inspiring soul.
Kiki was passionate & on the ground in working with people experiencing homelessness. She sought real solutions to homelessness so that their feeding scheme Obs Pasta would no longer be needed and actively supported Rainbow House (longterm housing) to establish and sustain itself https://t.co/2b0R9VmdJr
— Ndifuna Ukwazi (@NdifunaUkwazi) September 26, 2022
Eric Miller posted a tribute to Bisogno on Facebook, calling her an “extraordinary human being”.
Bisogno was known to consistently donate clothes to the homeless, and provide food to those in need. Ladles of Love, Ndifuna Ukwazi and various other organisations and individuals have paid tribute to Bisogno, noting that her presence will be sorely missed.
Our sincerest condolences to the loved ones of ‘Kiki’. Her family has asked that flowers be placed outside of Ferdinando’s Pizza in Observatory Lower Main Road, for those who would like to pay their respects.
Written by: Jules Keohane
Feature Image: Kimon Bisogno/Facebook
