Durban — In a battle against hunger, FoodForward SA, a non-profit organisation mobilised efforts to donate food to various Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) across the province on World Food Day, celebrated annually on October 16.
This day, established by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), raises awareness of hunger affecting millions worldwide. This year’s theme, “The Right to Food for a Better Life and a Better Future,” underscores the urgent need for access to nutritious food — an essential human right for all.
FoodForward SA, known for its commitment to alleviating food insecurity, noted on their website that about 30 million South Africans face food shortages. Compounding the crisis, an “eye-watering” 10 million tons of food are wasted every year in the country, which could otherwise nourish those in need.
Alan Browde, an ardent advocate for food rights and CEO of SA Harvest, highlighted the pernicious cycle of malnutrition in South Africa.
“Malnutrition is an ongoing challenge that directly undermines human potential and social progress,” Browde said.
Findings from a recent survey by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) revealed that 63.5% of South African households are grappling with food insecurity.
These statistics were brought to light during a Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development event on October 10, emphasising the importance of addressing childhood malnutrition, which stifles cognitive development and diminishes future opportunities for the country’s youth.
Meanwhile, activists took to the streets outside the National Parliament in Cape Town, as members of the People’s Health Movement South Africa to voice their discontent over the skyrocketing cost of nutritious food.
Tinashe Njanji, coordinator of the movement, lamented, “What was once a basic necessity has now become a luxury for many South Africans.”
This sentiment resonates with countless citizens as rising food prices compel millions to sacrifice nutritious diets for cheaper, ultra-processed alternatives. This trend, Njanji warns, was not merely an economic concern but a burgeoning public health crisis linked with a rise in non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancers.
In a nation where the right to food is enshrined in the constitution, the ongoing disparity in access to wholesome meals is particularly jarring.
Over the past ten years, food prices have nearly doubled, locking impoverished communities into purchasing unhealthy, often less nutritious options.
In response to this escalating crisis, the People’s Health Movement issued an urgent call to action, detailing a series of demands directed at the government:
Prioritise public health: Increase resources for combating non-communicable diseases.
Address hunger and food insecurity: Take immediate action to alleviate hunger faced by millions.
Ensure access to healthy and affordable food: Guarantee that all citizens can access nutritious meals.
Support small-scale farmers: Provide essential resources for sustainable food production.
End monopolies in the food industry: Break up food processing monopolies and regulate prices.
Tax unhealthy food producers: Implement higher taxes on the producers of unhealthy foods.
Tax non-essential agricultural production: Encourage a shift towards essential food production through taxation.
Improve wages and social support: Ensure decent wages and adequate social grants for all citizens.
Make land available for food production: Enable communities to grow their food, enhancing food sovereignty.
Address climate change: Take urgent measures to mitigate its effects on food production.
Curb food wastage: Implement strong policies to reduce food waste and redirect excess food to those in need.
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