Gauteng govt lauches food storage and distribution centre

As part of efforts to fight poverty and hunger in Gauteng, Premier Panyaza Lesufi has launched a State-run food storage and distribution centre in Centurion.

Despite being the country’s economic hub, the province still faces high poverty levels.

Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) estimates nearly 23% of residents live below the poverty line.

According to the provincial government, the programme currently supports around 400,00 people, with efforts underway to expand its reach and improve service delivery.

Social Development’s Phumla Sekhonyane said that the facility marks a shift away from outsourced food programmes, with the State now taking direct control.

"Whilst we have improved from the COVID levels of poverty, we still haven't reached the pre-COVID levels, we're still recovering. Overall, the importance of this project is that we are implementing the directive of improving the capacity of the State, and getting the State to deliver these services on their own instead of relying on external parties.”