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National School Nutrition Programme

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Against the odds: South Africa’s democracy has matured in visible and subtle ways, the Constitution enshrined gender equality, expanded access to education, healthcare and economic opportunities. Photo: ConCourt
2010 FIFA WORLD CUP

Three  decades on: Assessing South Africa’s Progress since 1994

The democratic breakthrough of 1994 stands as one of the most significant political achievements of the modern era. Against the odds, South Africa chose negotiation over civil…

  • Cornelius Monama
7 min read
The expansion of social grants has been one of the most significant redistributive measures in democratic South Africa. Grants now support millions of children, older persons, and people with disabilities. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)
BUDGET 2026

Social Grants get R292.8bn boost

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has confirmed increases to social grants, including old-age, disability and child support, supporting 26.5 million South Africans amid high…

  • Mandisa Makgakga
4 min read
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi.
COMPANIES AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY COMMISSION

Service providers challenge Gauteng premier over missing tender records in R9bn school feeding scheme

In their letter to Panyaza Lesufi, service providers outline serious irregularities in the National School Nutrition Programme tender process

  • Umamah Bakharia
5 min read
Service providers have taken the Gauteng education department to court to halt the appointment of 49 new contractors, claiming that some companies have been deregistered, while others are not tax-compliant or are even non-existent. (Photo by Sharon Seretlo/Gallo Images via Getty Images)
COMPANIES AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY COMMISSION

Gauteng school nutrition tender faces legal battle over alleged corruption 

Service providers have taken the Gauteng education department to court to halt the appointment of 49 new contractors, claiming that some companies have been deregistered, while…

  • Umamah Bakharia
5 min read
The ANC in Gauteng believes it is on track to secure at least 40% of the vote in the 2026 local government elections (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)
AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS

ANC to intervene in Gauteng, KZN to boost 2024 poll strength

The governing party will deploy more of its top leaders to assist in both provinces

  • Paddy Harper
  • Lizeka Tandwa
4 min read
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has been looking into alleged corruption in the R2.4  billion KwaZulu-Natal school nutrition programme debacle since February. (Fani Mahuntsi)
AMAZULU FC

KwaZulu-Natal school feeding scandal: Special Investigation Unit steps in

The KwaZulu-Natal education department has delayed handing over tender documents to the Special Investigating Unit

  • Paddy Harper
6 min read
The provincial education department has delayed handing over tender documents to the SIU since February Photo: Supplied
AMAZULU FC

KwaZulu-Natal school feeding scandal: Special Investigation Unit steps in

The provincial education department has delayed handing over tender documents to the SIU since February

  • Paddy Harper
5 min read
Learners queue for a meal. (Madelene Cronje)
AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS

KZN pupils go hungry as ‘philanthropist’ provider doesn’t deliver

AmaZulu Football Club director Manzini Zungu was awarded the sole tender to feed 2.4 million children at mostly no-fee schools

  • Paddy Harper
7 min read
ANGIE MOTSHEKGA

Challenge to state as learners miss out on daily meals

Advocacy group Equal Education says Minister Angie Motshekga and MECs must tell court why they shouldn’t be jailed or fined for contempt over failures of the national school…

  • Luke Feltham
2 min read
If there is just one outcome from the Covid-19 pandemic in South Africa that could be considered positive, it is this: for perhaps the first time, the reality of household hunger and malnutrition has become visible to policymakers. (Madelene Cronje)
CHILDREN

South African children suffer the ‘slow violence of malnutrition’

The latest Child Gauge review highlights malnutrition eats away at their potential and drives a cycle of poverty.

  • Eunice Masson
2 min read
Relieved: Nomthandazo Makhubela is happy that all grades are now back at school. (Paul Botes/M&G)
CHILD HUNGER

Open schools mean full tummies as feeding schemes resume

About four in five learners in the country’s poorest schools rely on the one meal they receive at school, but they weren’t able to get it for more than four months, during which…

  • Pontsho Pilane
6 min read
The provincial education department has delayed handing over tender documents to the SIU since February Photo: Supplied
EQUAL EDUCATION

Advocacy group takes department to court over school nutrition programme

Equal Education wants the court to get the basic education department to feed all learners who qualify for the programme, including those who are not back at school

  • Bongekile Macupe
6 min read
The country’s social fibre is under strain and one cannot help but feel that something will have to give. (David Harrison/M&G)
CAPE TOWN

Lockdown heroes feed hungry kids

Feeding schemes inundated with requests to assist during Covid-19 lockdown

  • Lester Kiewit
3 min read