Can we make food more affordable, accessible and available to everyone in South Africa?
25 August 2021.
South Africa’s food security was brought into focus in July 2021, when rioters destroyed production and retail infrastructure and shut down distribution in key economic areas of South Africa, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal.
Suddenly, animals and poultry could not be fed, food could not reach the shops and hundreds of retail outlets were burned to the ground. In addition, a cyber-attack disrupted food imports and exports at South African harbours. The disruptions were soon over, but questions remain.
South Africa is regarded as food secure at a national level, but not at household level because poverty means millions of South Africans go hungry despite food being available.
This webinar was recorded on 25 August 2021. It was presented by the FairPlay Movement in association with Food for Mzansi.
- Moderators: Dawn Noemdoe (Food for Mzansi).
- Panelists: Dr Marc Wegerif (University of Pretoria), Hamlet Hlomendlini (ABSA), Mervyn Abrahams (PMBEJD).
- Host: Francois Baird (FairPlay).






Watch the webinar
Panelist profiles

Dawn Noemdoe
The webinar is co-organised by Food for Mzansi and moderated by editor of audience and engagement at Food For Mzansi, Dawn Noemdoe.

Dr Marc Wegerif
Dr Marc Wegerif is a post-doctoral fellow at the Human Economy Programme at the University of Pretoria. He is an expert in food systems, food policy and land reform.

Hamlet Hlomendlini
Hamlet Hlomendlini is a senior agricultural economist. Previously the chief economist at Agri SA and agricultural economist at Standard Bank. He currently works in agricultural enablement at ABSA, dealing with agricultural value chains and agro-processing in South Africa.

Mervyn Abrahams
Mervyn Abrahams is the programme coordinator at the Pietermartizburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group – an organisation that focuses on research and advocacy on issues pertaining to economic and social justice, with a particular focus on food security and affordability.

Francois Baird
François Baird is the founder of the FairPlay movement joined our expert panel as the host of the webinar.