On 17 August, the HSRC launched its pilot episode of the HSRC Connect, an interactive online platform aimed at enhancing the visibility of the organisation’s research and work. The theme of the launch episode is ‘Empowering poor families in the face of food insecurity: Reflecting on meaningful policy and programmatic interventions.’

Food insecurity remains a concern in South Africa and recent statistics show that about one in five South Africans are struggling to access a proper diet daily. The economic disruptions triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated food insecurity given the loss of livelihoods and income in many families. Food insecurity and the lack of access to affordable nutritious food have been associated with increased risk for multiple chronic health conditions. In South Africa, where health inequalities are reportedly rife, this added vulnerability puts more strain on poor families. This multifaceted social challenge requires intense multisectoral conversations to deepen the understanding of the problem and to foster collaborative efforts to address the challenge by all stakeholders in the food system.

The debut episode took the format of a panel discussion, which included the following participants:

Prof. Heidi van Rooyen, Group Executive at the HSRC’s Impact Centre

Dr Nomcebo Ubisi, Research Specialist at the HSRC’s Africa Institute of South Africa

Dr Nanine Wyma, Managing Director, Physicians Association for Nutrition South Africa

Dr Jemina Moeng, Director, Small Holder Development at the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

Dr Catherine Ndinda, Research Director in the HSRC’s Public Heath, Societies and Belonging unit

Watch the episode: