World Food Day serves as a powerful call to action. While many South Africans start their day with breakfast, millions still face the harsh reality of hunger. In 2021, 683,000 households faced food insecurity, with over half a million households reporting hunger among children aged five or younger, according to Statistics South Africa. A recent UNICEF report reveals that South Africa is among 20 countries responsible for 65% of the world’s children living in severe food poverty. These alarming statistics highlight the urgent need for collective action to address food insecurity.
The theme of World Food Day 2024, “Right to Foods for a Better Life and a Better Future,” resonates with the Tiger Brands Foundation’s mission to ensure that every learner in vulnerable communities has access to a warm and nutritious meal. Regional Coordinator and Project Manager at The Tiger Brands Foundation (TBF), Kefiloe Mokoena, explains, “our in-school breakfast programme is more than just providing meals—it is an investment in each learner’s future. Every meal represents hope, ensuring learners can focus in class and develop the skills needed to succeed.”
“We cannot afford to be indifferent. Every learner we feed today has a better chance of excelling tomorrow, but the need is far greater, than what any one organisation can provide. It will require a collaborative approach, where hunger no longer hinders potential,” adds Mokoena.
The Foundation provides a hot and nutritious, in-school breakfast meal every school day to thousands of learners across South Africa. This programme complements the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP)—a government initiative that provides breakfast and lunch to all learners in primary and secondary schools across the country. However, child hunger remains a critical issue.
With approximately 12% of children in South Africa (nearly 2.6 million) facing hunger, The Foundation’s in-school breakfast programme not only nourishes learners but also supports their educational journey. Each meal offers an opportunity for learners to focus, dream bigger, and become forces for change in their communities.
As a nation, South Africans share a deep-rooted spirit of unity and resilience, coming together in times of need. Whether in celebration or crisis, we rise together because we understand that collective strength and shared responsibility are essential to building a better future for all. Let us unite to create a future where no learner in South Africa goes hungry.