This World Food Day, the South African Breweries has once again partnered with the Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCDOA) to host an event that aims to raise awareness of the world food shortage. The event hosted dignitaries such as the Executive Mayor, Bitou Municipality, Cllr Dave Swart, District Mayor, Memory Booysen , the Western Cape MEC for Agriculture, Dr Ivan Meyer, Head of Department, Dr Mogale Sebopetsa and the Deputy Director General Mr Darryl Jacobs.,
World Food Day, held on 16 October commemorates the establishment of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN). This year’s theme is “Water is Food, Water is Life ‘Leave No One Behind’”.
During his address, Minister Meyer said that addressing the challenges of food insecurity and malnutrition remains top on the agenda of the Western Cape Government.
Minister Meyer said, “The Western Cape Department of Agriculture does not just talk about World Food Day in theory but celebrates it in action. In the spirit of ‘Leaving No One Behind’, the department continues to put in resources and efforts to forge strategic partnerships to tackle food insecurity at the community and household levels.”
SAB’s largest provincial footprint is in the Western Cape, and therefore, recognises the positive impact it can have in these communities. As such, SAB collaborated with the Western Cape Department of Agriculture and channelled resources into this initiatives that has the power to empower local communities, through sustainable solutions in improving food security and sefl-sufficiency.
Zoleka Lisa, VP Corporate Affairs at SAB says, “The significance of World Food Day lies in the awareness it creates of the global food problem and the strengthening of solidarity in the fight against hunger, malnutrition, and poverty. With so much at stake, we are partnering with WCDOA the to identify communities in remote areas facing food security issues.”
Over the past seven years, SAB has partnered with the WCDOA to identify communities in most need of food. Prepared food parcels were handed over to identified NPOs and NGOs who in turn distribute these to the disadvantaged communities in the area.
Lisa adds, “To date we have been able to complete 160 food related projects with the WCDOA. These initiatives stand as a testament to our commitment to addressing food security challenges in the region. Through this partnership, and ongoing collaboration, we will continue to work tirelessly to create a future where no one goes hungry.”
In the lead-up to WFD 2023, 123 households in Kranshoek, Crags, KwaNokuthula, New Horizon and Wittedrift benefitted from the Department’s One Home, One Garden Initiative where participating households are provided with the basic requirements to start their vegetable production garden in their backyards.
A further seven households were trained in poultry production and in the future will be given ten layer chickens each, feed for three months, and a chicken coup or cage. Given the current Avian Flu crisis in South Africa, the poultry production project has been suspended by the WCDOA until the Avian Flu outbreak has been resolved.
Four community vegetable gardens were implemented at namely: Kranshoek Primary School, the Immanuel Church (Crags) and Phakamisani Primary School in KwaNokuthula. These projects were supported with infrastructure, production inputs, gardening equipment tools and advisory services by the WCDOA.
Through the sponsorship by SAB, other sponsors as well as the generosity of WCDOA staff, the department mobilised donations towards a so-called ‘Food Mountain’ that was donated to five local NGO/NPOs in the area.
