The Minister of Science and Technology, Mr Derek Hanekom, will launch the Department of Science and Technology (DST)-National Research Foundation (NRF) Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Food Security at the University of the Western Cape on 15 April 2014.
The CoE is co-hosted by the University of the Western Cape and the University of Pretoria.
Studies show that food insecurity is widespread in South Africa, where more than 60% of the population is urbanised. Approximately 57% of South Africans live below the poverty line (meaning that some days there is no food). Chronic malnutrition affects one in five young children in both rural and urban areas, and about 80% of households in South Africa are unable to afford nutritionally balanced meals.
For South Africa to be food secure, food needs to be available both nationally and locally, and people have to have the means to access it (either producing it themselves, or buying or bartering for it). People also need to have the knowledge to make informed choices about what they eat.
The DST-NRF CoE in Food Security will bring together a cohort of experts and researchers to research the systemic and structural factors that shape food access and dietary choice, as well as food security strategies, choices and decisions for poor and vulnerable people. It will not look at agricultural productivity in isolation, but will take a "farm-to-fork" approach.
All media are invited.
The details of the event are as follows:
Date: Tuesday, 15 April 2014
Time: 16h30 - 17h55
Venue: Life Sciences Auditorium, University of the Western Cape
For more information please contact:
David Mandaha
Cell: 072 126 8910
E-mail: at David.Mandaha@dst.gov.za
Thabiso Nkone
National Research Foundation
Cell: 083 494 2322
Tel: thabiso.nkone@nrf.ac.za
