The COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa: examples of practical solutions to address food insecurity among vulnerable citizens

This chapter highlight the outcomes of four important surveys designed to monitor South Africans’ experiences during the COVID-19 motivated countrywide hard lockdown, implemented from March 2020 to November 2020 and their views on the South African government efforts to tackle COVID-19. Based on the outcomes observed, during this time majority of vulnerable populations did not only experience food insecurity as a result in job loses; they also became aware of their deteriorating financial and health statuses. Hence, they devised innovative strategies to replenish their household food pantries, by stocking up on available staple foods from shops, and learning to cook food from scratch at home, instead of their usual way of relying on take-away foods. They acknowledged the South African government’s leadership during this time and together with it they coproduced policies that enforced the scale-up of food and financial security initiatives. Among these initiatives are: i) the introduction and the distribution of 350 South African Rand Social Relief of Distress grant to support vulnerable South Africans who do not get social security grants, ii) affording food handouts to the distressed populations, and iii) supporting sustainable livelihoods by promoting subsistence-focused smallholder and household farming. Vulnerable South African children were not left out, such that those who were eligible to be on school nutrition program could still access a healthy and nutritious meal each day throughout school closures. While those eligible to receive the National Student Financial Aid Scheme still got their share to motivate them to remain registered at tertiary institutions.