Johannesburg: The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) is set to convene the second leg of the National Investigative Hearing into South Africa's Food Systems on Monday. This hearing is a continuation of efforts to address concerns about access to adequate food for all South Africans.
According to South African Government News Agency, the National Investigative Hearing was initiated following complaints received by the SAHRC and findings from its monitoring efforts. These investigations highlighted significant concerns regarding food accessibility across the nation, prompting the commission to take action. The inquiry is based on section 27(1)(b) of the South African Constitution, which guarantees the right to access sufficient food for everyone.
Despite this constitutional assurance, the commission has noted that millions of South Africans face hunger and food insecurity. The situation is particularly dire for children, many of whom suffer from malnutrition and stunting, while preventable hunger leads to avoidable deaths. This issue is alarming given South Africa's agricultural capacity and food resources, which are sufficient to feed the entire population.
The first phase of the commission's hearings occurred earlier this year, gathering evidence from various stakeholders, including government entities and civil society. A recurring theme from these proceedings was the need to scrutinize the food system's structure, focusing on market concentration and the private sector's role in shaping food access, affordability, and nutritional outcomes.
The SAHRC has decided that further hearings are essential to obtain evidence from key stakeholders in the private sector involved in the food value chain. This includes input suppliers, agribusinesses, farmers, food processors, manufacturers, retailers, distributors, industry associations, and lobby groups. Their involvement is expected to provide a comprehensive understanding of the structural, economic, and policy factors affecting food access in South Africa.