" Spending time in Soweto, and looking at the issues, and experiencing the poverty first-hand, had an enormous impact. I was brought up in a council house in South East London – I didn’t have a privileged or wealthy upbringing – but looking at the scale of the problems there just left me dumbfounded. "
- Gregg Wallace

In the given statement, Gregg Wallace reflects on his experience visiting Soweto, a township in South Africa known for its historical struggles with poverty and social inequality. He mentions that witnessing these issues firsthand had a profound impact on him despite coming from a modest background himself—having grown up in a council house in South East London. His visit to Soweto left him deeply moved by the magnitude of the challenges faced there.

Wallace’s statement delves deeper into themes of empathy and awareness, highlighting how direct experience can profoundly change one's perspective on social issues. By comparing his own upbringing with what he saw in Soweto, Wallace underscores the importance of understanding broader contexts beyond personal experiences. This reflection encourages readers to consider their preconceptions about poverty and inequality and prompts them to seek out firsthand encounters or engage more deeply with societal issues.

Gregg Wallace is a well-known British television chef and personality. He co-hosts popular food competition shows such as "The Great British Bake Off" and "Saturday Kitchen." Beyond his culinary expertise, Wallace uses his platform to share personal insights and reflections on various social and humanitarian topics, as exemplified in the statement about his visit to Soweto.