Chance to end poverty, hunger

THIS week marks 41 years of the celebration of the World Food Day (WFD). The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN chose October 16 as WFD in 1979. The WFD is commemorated yearly to promote global awareness and advocate collective action to assist those who suffer from hunger and highlights the need to ensure healthy diets for all.

As a country, South Africa needs economic growth. However, while economic growth is the long-term solution to poverty eradication, we simply cannot wait for economic growth before addressing the hunger crisis that is clearly all around us. If the government is serious about hunger and protecting the dignity of the poor, the status quo is not enough.

According to Statistics SA, the population grew from 56.52 million in 2017 to 59.62 million in the middle of 2020, an estimated increase of 3.1 million people in three years, hence the need to put more effort and innovation to fight hunger through increasing productivity.

According to the results of general household survey (GHS), 2019 released in December 2020, the number of persons with more limited access to food in South Africa decreased from 13.75 million in 2018 to 11.02 million in 2019, a difference of 2.73 million people.

This month offers opportunities to strengthen national and international solidarity in the struggle against poverty, hunger and malnutrition as well as drawing attention to the achievements of food and nutrition security. The government and private sector need to come together to ensure the eradication of poverty and hunger. TSHEPO DIALE |