Child stunting is a national crisis and should be a national shame.
Earlier this year, the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) report on food insecurity put the country’s stunting level at 28.8%. Seven years ago it was 27%. Millions of children are affected, and the statistics are moving in the wrong direction. Child stunting is a national disaster.
The scope of the catastrophe for South African children is vast. It is estimated that South Africa would have 1.7 million stunted children in 2025, which is nearly twice as high as the 900 000 children target for 2025. This is a national shame, because we are literally starving our future.
What does it mean when 28.8% of children under the age of five are stunted, the result of chronic malnutrition? Stunting affects them physically, and often also mentally, for the rest of their lives. Because of child malnutrition, a quarter of each generation is unable to develop to their full potential. As UNICEF makes clear: “Children suffering from acute malnutrition are known to have weak immune systems and are prone to infections which could lead to death. If they survive, they are more susceptible to being stunted and having long-term developmental delays.”
The high levels of stunting are among the compelling reasons to support the campaign to remove the 15% value added tax (VAT) from chicken. This is South Africa’s most popular and affordable meat protein – it makes up 66% of all meat consumed – and it is an essential part of the diet of low-income households.
Chicken contains the protein, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that children and pregnant mothers need. Removing VAT from chicken would make it more affordable for poor households and help to nourish children struggling because of inadequate diets.
Affordability is the key issue. South Africa is food secure at national level – the country produces enough to feed the nation, with excess to export. Despite this, millions live in poverty, without enough to eat because they cannot afford the food that is available.
While stunting levels are dropping in many countries, in South Africa they are getting worse.
The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, reported in 2021 that in the previous two decades, the world had reduced the proportion of children under five suffering from undernutrition by one third – that’s some 55 million children who are no longer missing out on the nutrients they need to develop and thrive in life.
South Africa is an exception. UNICEF referred to the 2020 Child Gauge report from the Children’s Institute at the University of Cape Town, which focused on child malnutrition and high levels of stunting.
“The statistics are a call to action. In South Africa, 27% of children are stunted, meaning that these children will likely not reach their full growth and developmental potential because of the irreversible physical and cognitive damage caused by persistent nutritional deprivations,” UNICEF said.
