South Africa Human Rights Commission Examines National Food Systems

In March, the South African Human Rights Commission held an inquiry into South Africa's food systems. Submissions presented to the commission stated that the country produces enough food to feed its population. The same submissions reported that hundreds of children die from malnutrition each year and that 63.5 percent of South Africans are food insecure.

Outside a small Northern Cape town near Upington, a mother of three who asked to remain anonymous described raising her three children and her sister's two children on social grants and occasional farm work. She said the household buys only what stretches and purchases fruit or meat when funds allow.

About two years ago she noticed her youngest child stopped eating properly, became ill frequently, and grew smaller. Clinic visits required taxi fares she could not always afford. Several months later a doctor attributed the child's death to a lack of vitamins and acute malnutrition.

She continues to care for four children and fears losing another to the same conditions.