NC food security programme launched as part of World Food Day

The Northern Cape Integrated ​Food and Nutrition Security Programme was launched in Kuruman on October 15 in response to addressing poverty, hunger and sustainable food security. 

MEC for the Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform, Mase Manopole, said that over 34 percent of Northern Cape households experienced food insecurity.

"The John Taolo Gaetsewe district, in particular, remains one of the hardest-hit areas, with 73.9 percent ​of households living below the food poverty line and an unemployment rate of 58.3 percent, ​peaking at 84.2 percent in Joe Morolong municipality. These statistics highlight the urgent ​need for integrated, sustainable interventions to ensure food security and economic ​empowerment across the province." 

She emphasised that access to safe and nutritious food is a fundamental human right.

"Hunger is not caused by the absence of food, but by inequality, poverty, and unemployment. We can only secure better foods and a better future by walking hand in hand; government, business, and communities working together.” 

Manopole announced ongoing interventions such as continued support for 1,300 subsistence producers, strengthening of the Balelapa Initiative, and the establishment of a district-based Food Bank Pilot in Kuruman to improve coordination and access to nutritious food.

Manopole said the Provincial Integrated ​Food and Nutrition Security Programme would invest in local food production through financial and non-financial support, improve food provision services for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, disabled and frail beneficiaries.

The MEC for the Department of Social Development, Nontobeko Vilakazi, stated that the launch marked a turning point for the province, where every household should have access to adequate, nutritious food.

"Food security is not only about feeding people today but also about restoring dignity, building resilience, and creating pathways for self-sustainability.

"Following the launch, the sector departments will work closely with local municipalities and private partners to roll out the Food and Nutrition Security Plan across all districts. Emphasis will be placed on community-driven initiatives, capacity building, and long-term monitoring of food security outcomes," she added.