\u200bKuruman<\/p>\n
\u200bThe MEC for Social Development, the Honourable Ms. Nontobeko Vilakazi, in \u200bcollaboration with the MEC for Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development \u200band Land Reform, MEC Mase Manopole successfully hosted the launch of the Northern Cape Integrated \u200bFood and Nutrition Security Programme in Kuruman, John Taolo Gaetsewe District \u200bunder the global theme \u201cHand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future\u201d. This \u200bcollaborative initiative by the Departments of Social Development, Department of \u200bAgriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform, Department \u200bof Health and the Education Department, forms part of our ongoing efforts to promote \u200bsustainable livelihoods and combat hunger in vulnerable communities across the \u200bprovince.<\/p>\n
\u200bThe launch, held at the Leisure Time Inn in Kuruman, was a culmination of a week-\u200blong series of build-up activities commemorating National Nutrition Week, and tomorrows World Food \u200bDay launch, and the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (IDEP). The programme \u200bbrought together communities, youth, women, traditional leaders, mining houses, \u200bretailers, and various government sectors to collectively address the urgent challenge \u200bof hunger and poverty.<\/p>\n
\u200bAccording to the General Household Survey (GHS) 2024, the Northern Cape has the \u200blowest proportion of households with adequate access to food in South Africa\u2014only \u200b65.7%. The JTG District, in particular, remains one of the hardest-hit areas, with 73.9% \u200bof households living below the food poverty line and an unemployment rate of 58.3%, \u200bpeaking at 84.2% in Joe Morolong Municipality. These statistics highlight the urgent \u200bneed for integrated, sustainable interventions to ensure food security and economic \u200bempowerment across the province.<\/p>\n
\u200bIn the lead-up to the launch, the Department hosted two significant dialogues as a \u200breminder that our solutions must be community-driven and inclusive:
\n* Youth Dialogue on 13 October 2025 focused on strengthening youth participation in agriculture and food production; and
\n* Women\u2019s Dialogue on 14 October 2025 centred on empowering women as key agents in household and community food security.<\/p>\n
\u200bThe main launch event on the 15 October 2025 included the following activities:
\n* A presentation of key food security statistics by Ms PG Saul, Executive Manager: \u200bCommunity Development and Research at the Department of Social Development;
\n* A summary of the individual interventions by the four state departments aimed at \u200bcombating food insecurity across the province, delivered by Ms. Lillian Senosi, Director \u200bfor Agricultural Development Services at the Department of Agriculture, Environmental \u200bAffairs, Rural Development and Land Reform; and
\n* A panel discussion with stakeholders from municipalities, mining houses, the retail and \u200bbanking sectors, and other social partners on how to support the Northern Cape\u2019s food \u200bsecurity initiatives.<\/p>\n
\u200bIn her opening address during the panel discussions, MEC Manopole called on all \u200bpartners; government, business and the community to work together to end hunger \u200band build resilient food systems that reflect the true potential of the Northern Cape.<\/p>\n
\u200bThe event marked a significant step towards institutionalising the Provincial Integrated \u200bFood and Nutrition Security Programme, with commitments to:
\n* Invest in local food production through financial and non-financial support
\n* Improve food provision services for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, disabled, and frail beneficiaries; and
\n* Enhance community profiling and social support through coordinated welfare services.
\n* Enhancement of public\/private partnerships to ensure the proper coordination of all efforts to eradicate hunger and poverty.<\/p>\n
MEC for Social Development, Hon. Vilakazi, commended the spirit of partnership that characterised the launch citing that Food security is not only about feeding people today but about restoring dignity, building resilience, and creating pathways for self-sustainability. She stated that the launch marked a turning point for the province, where every household must have access to adequate, nutritious food.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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