The good, the bad, and the ugly of food security in SA
South Africa’s food security was brought into focus in July, when rioters destroyed production and retail infrastructure and shut down distribution.
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.
FairPlay hosted a webinar at on 25 August to discuss food security at all levels in South Africa. Experts explored food security concerns and strategies to address them, including enhancing the food supply chain to broaden access, improve affordability and increase availability of locally produced food.
Watch the webinar below.
Webinar expert panelists:
Dr Marc Wegerif – 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 – 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 – 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.
François Baird is the founder of the FairPlay movement joined our expert panel as the host of the webinar.
The webinar is co-organised by Food for Mzansi and was moderated by editor of audience and engagement at Food For Mzansi, Dawn Noemdoe.
