“Our food system is under siege. The grim picture presented by the National Food and Nutrition Security Survey is a stark reminder that nearly two-thirds of our households face food insecurity. We cannot turn a blind eye to the suffering of our fellow South Africans.”
This was what the minister of agriculture, John Steenhuisen, had to say when his department launched the National Food and Nutrition Security Survey.
The launch comes at a time when environmental, social, and economic shocks are exacerbating the vulnerability of households, leading to widespread hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition across the country.
The survey, conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), reveals that a staggering 63.5% of households in South Africa are food insecure, with only 36.5% classified as food secure. The results underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions to improve food access, particularly for poorer communities who are most affected.
Steenhuisen emphasised that a “whole-of-society approach” is essential, stating, “It’s not just a government issue; it’s a national crisis that requires collaboration across all sectors. We must join hands to ensure that every South African has access to nutritious food.”
Need for dietary guidelines in Africa
Meanwhile, Professor Andrew Robinson, the chairperson of PAN South Africa, said their research on food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs) across Africa underscores the need for reform.
Only 20% of African countries have established national dietary guidelines, with just one country formally recognising vegetarian diets.
This is in contrast to traditional African diets, which are predominantly plant-based, centred around whole foods, indigenous fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes, with only occasional consumption of animal products.
“African countries, despite having a rich tradition of plant-based eating, lack official guidelines to promote these dietary patterns,” said Robinson.
“Dietary guidelines form the foundation for healthy, sustainable food choices, providing a framework for widespread education and informed decision-making.
“National FBDGs have a tremendous influence on the dietary habits of the population of their respective country, as they impact many sectors of society – from schools to healthcare institutions, agricultural practices, and even public policies.”
Prioritising high-need areas
According to Robinson, there is also a significant gap in the medical education system, with physicians receiving insufficient training on nutrition, particularly plant-based nutrition.
“Nutrition must be included in the medical curriculum of all healthcare professionals to enable them to fully support patients in adopting healthier lifestyles and more sustainable dietary patterns,” he said.
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As the country grapples with a nutritional transition marked by a triple burden of malnutrition, including hidden hunger and rising obesity levels, the government’s response includes a National Food and Nutrition Security Plan aimed at eradicating hunger and malnutrition by 2030.
The plan encompasses over 50 programmes and initiatives that focus on supporting agricultural production, enhancing food availability, and improving dietary diversity.
Steenhuisen noted, “Our government is committed to achieving zero hunger and no poverty by 2030, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
“However, this can only be accomplished through shared responsibility and coordinated action at every level.”
He urged communities and local authorities to act on survey results, highlighting the needs of food-insecure households. He encouraged prioritising high-need areas and collaborating with agricultural stakeholders to boost food production.
“As we move forward, we must remember that every statistic represents a family facing hunger. We cannot rest until we have addressed the underlying causes of food insecurity,” Steenhuisen said.
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