Lead SA calls on South Africans to roll up their sleeves to help curb hunger and contribute towards food security by planting their own vegetable gardens in their homes and workplaces.
At the launch of Nelson Mandela International Day 2014 in April, then Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe announced food security as one of the three major themes, with the other two being literacy and shelter.
“Food insecurity is not just a global concern, but is affecting South Africa too,” the Nelson Mandela Foundation said in a statement shortly after the launch.
“According to a research report released by the Human Sciences Research Foundation (HSRC) in August, only 45,6% of the South African population is food secure.”
Lead SA has partnered with various organisations in Gauteng to help facilitate Mandela Day events where members of the public will be taught the skills needed to plant and maintain their own vegetable gardens.
These organisations include Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ), the African Children’s Feeding Scheme (ACFS) and the Dis-Chem Foundation.
“Too many South Africans go to sleep hungry every day with no idea what they will eat the next morning,” said Lead SA’s Terry Volkwyn.
