To: Editors and journalists
Issued by: Black Sash
Cape Town, Thursday, 21 November 2024: Black Sash is concerned about the recent declaration of a National Disaster by the National Disaster Management Centre due to the tragic consequences of poor food safety practices in South Africa. This crisis has resulted in unnecessary loss of life and serious illnesses, robbing our country of its most precious resource, the lives and futures of our children. It is not acceptable that innocent children’s lives have been lost due to poor food safety practices in the country. This calls for urgent action and commitment from government and relevant stakeholders to remedy the situation at community level.
The Constitution of South Africa, in Section 27(1)(b), guarantees the right to access sufficient food and water. This right is fundamental to human dignity and the well-being of all individuals. Yet, this crisis highlights systemic gaps in ensuring that this constitutional right is realised for all, particularly for the most vulnerable communities.
Access to safe food is a matter of justice, equity, and human rights. It is unacceptable that poor food safety practices, many of which are preventable, have disproportionately affected marginalised groups who often rely on grants, perpetuating cycles of poverty, inequality, and health disparities. Every life matters equally, and no one should have to risk their health or life to access a basic necessity.
It is also concerning that millions of South Africans remain food insecure. The recent Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) national food and nutrition security survey highlights that in some parts of the country some people still go to bed hungry or eat only once or twice a day.
This is why Black Sash is calling for the establishment of a comprehensive social protection floor, which includes the right to adequate and safe nutrition for every child in South Africa. Our children deserve better, and ensuring their right to nutritious food is not only a moral obligation but a constitutional imperative.
We commend the National Disaster Management Centre for taking decisive action and calling for a multisectoral response plan. However, addressing this crisis requires more than reactive measures, it demands systemic change. This includes:
- Strengthening food safety regulations and enforcement mechanisms across all levels of government.
- Supporting communities and businesses, including spaza shops, to meet health and safety standards through education and resources.
- Ensuring transparency and accountability in food production, processing, and distribution.
- Raising public awareness about food safety to empower individuals and communities to make informed choices.
This disaster also reflects broader systemic inequalities rooted in historical and socio-economic contexts. South Africa’s food system must prioritise equity, health, and sustainability to ensure that the right to food is upheld for everyone, irrespective of their socio-economic status.
The Black Sash remains committed to advocating for the realisation of constitutional rights and ensuring that all individuals, especially the most vulnerable, are protected from preventable harm. We urge the National Executive and all relevant stakeholders to act swiftly and collaboratively to prevent further tragedies.
Let this be a turning point where we not only address the immediate crisis but also take meaningful steps to build a food system that reflects our shared humanity and the constitutional values of dignity, equality, and justice.
For media queries, please contact Mongezi Mhlongo, Black Sash Communications and Media Manager:
071 717 2498/ mongezi@blacksash.org.za
