President Cyril Ramaphosa has described South Africa’s School Nutrition Programme as one of the most transformative social policies of the democratic era, emphasizing its crucial role in addressing hunger, poverty, and inequality.
According to Ramaphosa, the programme provides nutritious meals to more than nine million learners from poor households across the country every school day. He said this initiative has not only improved child nutrition but also boosted attendance, concentration, and academic performance.
The president shared his remarks in his weekly newsletter, following the 7th Social Justice Summit in Cape Town, which examined South Africa’s progress in achieving food security — a key pillar of social justice.
Ramaphosa Says School Nutrition Programme Transforms Education
President Ramaphosa praised the School Nutrition Programme for its far-reaching social impact, noting that it has become an essential pillar of the country’s fight against poverty.
“The School Nutrition Programme is one of the most far-reaching social programmes implemented over the past 30 years,” said Ramaphosa. “It provides daily nutrition to more than nine million learners from disadvantaged households.”
The president explained that the meals are made with nutritious ingredients sourced mainly from school and community food gardens, creating a sustainable link between food production and education. This approach not only supports learner health but also promotes local economic development in rural communities.
Ramaphosa emphasized that access to regular, nutritious meals has directly contributed to better learner outcomes. Studies and government monitoring have shown that well-fed learners are more likely to attend school consistently, focus better in class, and achieve higher academic results.
He pointed to the 2024 matric results as clear evidence of this impact. “Last year, learners from the poorest schools, which make up 60% of all schools in the country, accounted for 67% of all bachelor passes achieved,” Ramaphosa stated. “This shows how ensuring children don’t go to school hungry can transform their futures.”
School principals and teachers across the country have also noted improvements in learner discipline, engagement, and concentration levels when children receive nutritious meals at school.
In his newsletter, Ramaphosa linked the success of the School Nutrition Programme to South Africa’s broader efforts to achieve food security. He said the 7th Social Justice Summit reinforced the idea that access to nutritious food is a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of social justice.
“Food security is about more than just eliminating hunger. It is about ensuring that all South Africans, especially children, have access to food that is nutritious, affordable, and sustainably produced,” Ramaphosa said.
The summit, attended by civil society groups, government departments, and academics, focused on ways to reduce inequality through targeted social interventions like nutrition programmes, agricultural investment, and food price regulation.
While celebrating the programme’s achievements, Ramaphosa acknowledged that many South African households still face food insecurity. Despite various government interventions at national and provincial levels, rising food prices and economic pressures continue to make it difficult for vulnerable families to access nutritious meals at home.
“Consumer inflation has recently hit a 10-month high, with significant price increases in meat and vegetables,” Ramaphosa explained. “This puts even more pressure on household food budgets.”
He stressed the need for a multi-faceted approach to food insecurity — combining social support with efforts to stabilize food prices and improve local food production.
Ramaphosa said it was not enough to rely solely on social programmes; government must also address market factors driving up the cost of nutritious food.
He called for stronger collaboration between government, the private sector, and communities to make healthy food more affordable and accessible. “We have to look at market dynamics that make the cost of basic and nutritious foods increasingly out of reach for ordinary South Africans,” Ramaphosa said.
This includes reviewing agricultural support measures, strengthening food distribution networks, and ensuring fair pricing in retail markets.
By tackling both demand- and supply-side challenges, Ramaphosa believes South Africa can make significant strides toward eradicating extreme food poverty.
President Ramaphosa concluded his message by reaffirming government’s commitment to ensuring no child goes hungry at school. He said the School Nutrition Programme will continue to be expanded and strengthened as part of South Africa’s broader strategy to build a more equal and just society.
“Our commitment to ending hunger is unwavering,” Ramaphosa said. “When we invest in feeding our children, we are investing in their education, their health, and the future of our nation.”
He also urged communities, NGOs, and the private sector to support food security initiatives, especially in rural and under-resourced areas, to ensure sustainable impact beyond schools.
President Ramaphosa has positioned the School Nutrition Programme as a cornerstone of South Africa’s anti-poverty strategy, feeding millions of children daily and improving their chances of academic success.
While celebrating its achievements, he also highlighted the persistent challenge of food insecurity and the need to address rising food costs. By combining social support with market reforms, Ramaphosa believes South Africa can ensure every child has access to nutritious meals — both at school and at home.
Source- EWN
