The challenges faced by South Africa’s food systems, are complex and stem back to its history, in particular, the Eastern Cape province, where the majority of the population is still regarded as being poor even long after democracy was achieved. Moving forward requires a non-silo approach from key actors and influencers (along with their interests and inputs) who are involved in the food system. From production to consumption of food, the need for multi-sectoral action across various sectors is essential. Through the constitution of South Africa, it is a right to have access to food and water; however, the challenges faced by the food system through social, health, political, economic and environmental issues make this difficult to achieve.
Even with the challenges, one of the most important actors in the South African food system is the policies that govern food systems. The delivery of services within food systems is often seen as failing, many activities and inputs have been covered in food policies; however, much of its functioning is questionable. The food value chain consists of more than just policies to govern the food system but an array of multiple important actors and stakeholders. Additionally, the food value-chain consists of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), private organisations, and communities; it is further influenced by researchers, planners and analysts.
Land reform, social protection through Government grants, education on nutrition and crops, decreasing the prices of crops and bread, and programs and initiatives within the agriculture and rural development sectors have been some of the assistance received by the Government through policy implementation. Most of the policies implemented by different areas of the Government to deal with food security do not address the sources of food insecurity in particular.
The National Development Plan (NDP) 2030 was launched to be used as an interdisciplinary policy document to eliminate hunger and poverty. It emphasizes the need for the Government to work with the private sector and civil society and all involved in the food system, including the health and educational sectors. The aim is to increase food production, employment and overall development. The creation of jobs through the NDP has seen a decrease instead of an increase even though investments in employment projects in the agricultural sector (with a concentration on small-holder farmers) have been high. Furthermore, the overall impacts of agricultural projects on sustainable food security remain largely unknown, especially for projects that are short-term. Shisana et al (2013) takes note of the omission of food insecurity in urban areas in the NDP policies, meaning that policies are not taking into account the increase in food insecurity as cities of South Africa transform into more urbanized cities. Policies such as the NDP and the National Policy on Food and Nutrition Security highlight the importance of food production more than food security. Pereira (2014) argues that the concentration on agricultural production in policy takes away the importance of the development of local markets and the dire need to address nutritional inadequacy.
Urbanization in South Africa, like with many other transitioning countries, can come at the expense of a negative shift in access to food and nutritional burdens; however, access to food through stores has been one of the most reliable sources of food throughout the country. The most consumed foods such as cereals and other common foods can be purchased at local markets as there are limitations to local production. Even though food can be accessed via supermarkets and local stores, Ningi et al (2021) note that access to food is still inadequate due to socio-economic limitations. On the other hand, households with land ownership are more food secure than households without land ownership and numerous studies point towards this; therefore, home gardens or household food production can assist in access to food. However, there are a number of limitations to household food production and access; and in turn, food insecurity. According to Musemwa (2013) and Ningi (2021), these include gender roles where female household heads equated to a household being less food secure, lack of ownership of arable land, household size where larger households result in a higher incidence of food insecurity, households that have access to credit have high-interest rates, household income where Government grants and agriculture forms the main streams of income which determines how and where food is accessed; however, inflation across the board is a contributing factor, lastly, many women in rural areas do not have access to education which decreases their ability to head households and decreases their purchasing power. Due to cultural and socio-economic reasons, women are often not allowed to take on certain roles which in turn affects food security. These are powerful limitations to food security, making access to food daunting for rural and urban Eastern Cape, whether food is produced through subsistence farming or through local stores and supermarkets.
Due to the complexity of food systems, the need for further research and innovation is necessary as policies and food producers and suppliers who are a part of the corporate and local supply chain are not the only influencers of the system. Research, such as those being done by the EcoFood Systems Project is an essential step toward finding solutions for sustainable food systems in South Africa as well as throughout the world. Research has the ability to inform policy-making at local, national and international levels. All stakeholders are important in a food system; however, evidence-based research can inform policy, make better decisions around food and can influence development in different areas of communities such as poverty alleviation and climate smart technologies.
References:
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