Union Against Hunger: Plans in place to reach goal of eradicating hunger in SA

CAPE TOWN - The Union Against Hunger says it has a plan to eradicate hunger.

According to the latest statistics, one in four South Africans go hungry daily.

Of the 21 million children in the country, 9 million are currently hungry.

Union steering committee member Dr Busiso Moyo said they’re on a mission to change this.

“We are also concerned about the government’s inaction, perceived inaction insofar as showing leadership in this space and showing leadership of governing and intervening insofar as the food value chain is concerned. 

“So, part of that would be us embarking on symbolic demonstrations, protest action, being involved in policy processes but more than anything else, trying to sensitise the South African state to take the issue of hunger as a matter of life and death.”  

The Centre of Excellence in Food Security, based at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), has joined the union.

The centre’s Professor Julian May mentioned several ways change can be effected.

“Firstly, we need to see an increase in the value of South Africa's child support grant, which is currently only R580 per month, to align with the cost of a thrifty but healthy basket of food, which we estimate to be in the order of R950 per month. 

“We need to ensure that infants and young children are enrolled in the support grant from birth, and this requires collaborations with the departments of Health, Home Affairs, and Social Development”