President Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa has reaffirmed that alleviating poverty and addressing the cost of living remain top priorities of South Africa’s Government of National Unity (GNU).
Writing in his weekly newsletter on Monday, October 20, he highlighted that between 15 and 16 million South Africans still face inadequate access to food, despite the country’s constitutional guarantee of the right to food and water.
Since 1994, successive governments have implemented various initiatives to combat hunger, including policy reforms, free primary healthcare, education, and the School Nutrition Programme, which now provides daily meals to over nine million learners. He noted that these social interventions, which make up roughly 60% of Government spending before interest payments, have been recognised by the World Bank for effectively reducing poverty and inequality.
Ramaphosa acknowledged, however, that many households remain food insecure amid rising inflation, unemployment, and slow economic growth. He cited data from Statistics South Africa showing that food and beverage prices continue to climb, with meat and vegetables driving household costs higher.
While zero-rated basic food items have provided some relief, he warned that external pressures—such as energy costs, drought, and global supply disruptions—are exacerbating the problem. The President also called out price-fixing practices within the retail sector, stressing that they worsen food insecurity.
He urged retailers to ensure affordability and fairness, emphasising that improving food security must be a collective effort involving government, industry, and communities alike.