Hunger a test of South Africa’s democracy – president
According to Cyril Ramaphosa, around 16 million people in the country lack adequate access to food
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for urgent collaboration between the government, business, and civil society to address the country’s worsening food insecurity.
In his weekly letter to the nation, he said the fight against hunger is a critical test of the country’s democratic progress.
Ramaphosa revealed that between 15 and 16 million South Africans currently face inadequate or severely inadequate access to food, despite the constitutional right to food and water. He emphasised that South Africa is one of only 29 countries where this right is enshrined in the Constitution.
”Overcoming poverty and tackling the cost of living for South Africans is one of the strategic priorities of the Government of National Unity,” he said.
”Our Constitution imposes a duty on the state to take reasonable legislative and other measures, within its available resources, to progressively realise this right.”
Since 1994, successive administrations have adopted a multifaceted approach to hunger, including legislative reform, nutrition programmes in primary healthcare, and large-scale initiatives delivering food directly to communities and institutions.
Ramaphosa singled out the National School Nutrition Programme as one of the most effective. “This programme provides nutrition to more than 9 million learners from poor households on a daily basis,” he said.
”The provision of meals at schools, with nutritious ingredients sourced from school and community food gardens, has had a positive impact on learner attendance, concentration and overall academic performance.”
He said the impact of this programme is visible in education outcomes. “Last year, learners from the poorest schools—60% of schools—accounted for 67% of all bachelor passes achieved.”
Ramaphosa also pointed to the broader social safety net, including social grants, free primary healthcare, free basic and tertiary education, and free basic services. These interventions, he said, have “freed up money in households to buy food.” He added that South Africa’s social wage accounts for around 60% of government spending before interest payments, one of the highest levels among upper-middle-income countries.
Citing a 2021 World Bank report, he noted that South Africa’s system of social programmes was “effective, well-targeted and provide sizeable benefits to the poorest households,” and that it “effectively reduces poverty and inequality rates.”
Reflecting on the 7th Social Justice Summit, held last week by the Centre for Social Justice at Stellenbosch University, Ramaphosa said food security remains central to achieving social justice and the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
He welcomed the Centre’s Musa Plan, which aims to use data-driven research and collaborative resource mobilisation to end poverty, saying it would strengthen government efforts. Despite these gains, Ramaphosa warned that high unemployment, economic stagnation and rising inflation continue to undermine food security.
He said market factors are contributing to rising food prices, putting more pressure on already struggling households. “Practices like price-fixing that inflate food prices are directly contributing to food insecurity for households,” he said.
He referred to recent Competition Commission investigations, including a R1 million settlement with an edible oils producer earlier this year, and ongoing inquiries into bread, milling, poultry and fresh produce markets.
Ramaphosa called on major food retailers to take greater responsibility. “The ‘Big Five’ retail companies can and must play a far greater role in making nutritious food more affordable for South African households,” he said.
He acknowledged positive efforts, such as Shoprite’s R5 product line, but said more must be done. ”As retailers work to grow their market share among low-income households, they have a responsibility to ensure this includes affordable healthy food choices such as plant and animal proteins, fruits and vegetables.”
“Ultimately, the success of all efforts will rely on deeper collaboration between Government, business, labour and civil society,” Ramaphosa said. ”The ultimate measure of the success of our democratic dispensation lies in our ability to ensure that no person goes hungry.”
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