Ramaphosa Pledges Action on Rising Hunger

President Cyril Ramaphosa says overcoming poverty and tackling the cost of living remain top priorities for the Government of National Unity (GNU).

In his weekly newsletter on Monday, the President revealed that 15 to 16 million South Africans still face inadequate or severely inadequate access to food.

“Access to nutritious food directly affects the physical health and development of individuals and societies,” he wrote.

Ramaphosa stressed that South Africa is one of only 29 countries where the right to food and water is written into the Constitution.

“The Constitution imposes a duty on the state to take reasonable legislative and other measures, within its available resources, to progressively realise this right,” he said.

Since 1994, government has implemented a range of initiatives — from legislative reform and nutrition programmes in clinics to the National School Nutrition Programme, which feeds more than nine million learners every day.

The President highlighted that social grants and free services have played a vital role in easing pressure on households.

“In South Africa, the social wage accounts for approximately 60% of spending by Government before interest payments. This is amongst the highest of upper-middle income countries,” he noted.

A 2021 World Bank report praised the country’s social assistance system, saying it “effectively reduces poverty and inequality rates.”

Despite these interventions, millions remain food insecure. “In a context of high unemployment and poverty and limited economic growth, many households across the country are finding it difficult to afford nutritious food,” Ramaphosa said.

Statistics South Africa reports that food inflation continues to climb, with meat and vegetable prices putting household budgets under strain.

The President acknowledged that external factors — such as transport costs, drought and global supply chain disruptions — affect prices, but he also criticised unfair practices in the sector.

“Practices like price-fixing that inflate food prices are directly contributing to food insecurity for households,” he warned.

Ramaphosa urged retailers to do their part.

“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,” he said.

He added that food security remains a “society-wide effort” and called on communities, businesses and government to strengthen initiatives that ensure no South African goes hungry.