The following blog captures key insights from the expert symposium, framed around the constitutional and human rights dimensions of hunger and food security in South Africa, through a social justice lens.
The Constitutional Right to Food
One of the central discussions at the symposium was the constitutional obligation of the state to ensure food security. In South Africa, section 27 of the Constitution of South Africa, 1996 provides that everyone has the right to have access to sufficient food and water, subject to the availability of State resources. Section 28 provides an absolute right for children (up to the age of 18 years) to basic nutrition, and section 35 an absolute right for detained persons and sentenced prisoners to adequate nutrition. Yet, hunger remains pervasive. The speakers argued that constitutional rights should not be viewed in isolation but rather as part of an ecosystem of rights where the fulfilment of one right enables the realisation of others.
A profound point raised was that hunger is not merely a symptom of poverty, but a violation of human dignity, a principle enshrined in the Constitution. The notion that hunger deprives individuals of their agency, stifles development, and limits participation in societal processes was emphasised throughout the discussion.
Hunger and Food Security as Social Justice Issues
Food security is a multifaceted issue that touches on equity, fairness, and social justice. According to participants at the symposium, hunger should not be examined only from the perspective of food availability but should include accessibility, nutritional quality, and the sociopolitical contexts that influence food security. Discussions at the event highlighted the deep inequality in food access, where some have abundant resources while others live in constant hunger, creating stark contrasts even within relatively small geographic regions.
Speakers noted that social justice demands that these inequalities be addressed through policy interventions that ensure equitable food distribution and access. The idea of “domesticating the problem” of hunger was raised, implying that solutions should be crafted with sensitivity to local contexts, addressing specific community needs while maintaining an overarching national strategy for food security.
The Role of the Government and Policy Implementation
One of the major themes was the critical role of the government in realising the constitutional mandate of providing sufficient food for its citizens. The implementation gap—where strong constitutional provisions exist but are inadequately translated into policies, appropriate legislation and implementation—was discussed as a significant obstacle. Speakers urged the government to align its policies with constitutional obligations and enhance monitoring systems to track food security outcomes.
Moreover, discussions touched on the importance of local governance structures in the fight against hunger. Municipalities, as frontline government bodies, were identified as critical actors in addressing food security at the grassroots level. A key suggestion was improving their capacity to deliver food and nutrition security-focused services and coordinate efforts across sectors.
Hunger, Food Systems, and Economic Justice
The relationship between food systems and economic justice was another key topic. South Africa’s food system is marked by inequality, with a few large corporations controlling most of the food supply chain, creating a significant power imbalance. The symposium called for reform in the food production and distribution sectors to allow for more inclusive and sustainable practices.
Local food production, especially small-scale farming, was highlighted as a potential avenue to increase food security and empower communities. However, small farmers often face barriers such as lack of access to land, water, and credit. The government was urged to support small-scale producers through subsidies, infrastructure development, and technical assistance.
The symposium also raised the issue of food prices and the vulnerability of the poor to food price inflation. The state's role in regulating food prices, ensuring that essential foodstuffs remain affordable, was discussed as part of the broader social justice framework.
Hunger and Vulnerable Groups
Particular attention was given to vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, and people living in rural areas. These groups often bear the brunt of hunger due to systemic disadvantages and inadequate social safety nets. The symposium discussed the importance of tailoring interventions to address the specific needs of these groups. For instance, the National School Nutrition Programme was commended for its role in alleviating child hunger but also criticised for not reaching all children in need.
Gender was another important lens through which hunger was examined. Women, particularly in rural areas, often face unique challenges in accessing food due to gender-based inequalities. The symposium highlighted the need for gender-sensitive policies that address the intersection of food security and women’s empowerment.
Sustainable Solutions to Hunger
In discussing solutions, the symposium emphasised the importance of sustainability in food production and consumption. Climate change, environmental degradation, and unsustainable agricultural practices were identified as significant threats to food security. The speakers advocated for sustainable agricultural practices that not only ensure food availability for current populations but also protect the environment for future generations.
The idea of food sovereignty, which advocates for the right of people to define their own food systems, was also discussed. This concept challenges the dominant global food system, which often prioritises profit over people and sustainability. Symposium participants argued that empowering local communities to take control of their food systems could lead to more resilient and equitable food security outcomes.
Human Rights and Accountability
The symposium underscored that hunger is a human rights issue, and as such, there must be accountability mechanisms to ensure that the right to food is realised. Participants called for stronger and enforceable legal frameworks that allow individuals and communities to hold the state accountable when their right to food is violated.
In this regard, public interest litigation was highlighted as a potential tool to push government toward fulfilling its constitutional obligations. Strategic litigation could help create precedents that hold government accountable and ensure that policies are not only enacted but also effectively implemented.
Conclusion: Toward a Just Food System
The Expert Symposium on Social Justice, Hunger, and the Constitution concluded with a call to action for all stakeholders—government, civil society, the private sector, and communities—to work collaboratively toward a just food system. Hunger is not just a matter of food production but a reflection of broader societal inequalities. Addressing it requires a comprehensive approach that includes economic, environmental, and social justice perspectives. The Constitution provides a strong foundation for addressing hunger, but the real challenge lies in translating constitutional rights into practical realities for all South Africans. By establishing an appropriately focused policy framework, enacting enforceable legislation and creating fit for purpose institutions and concomitant implementation modalities, as well as through fostering greater accountability, supporting local food systems, and ensuring that vulnerable populations are not left behind, South Africa can take significant strides toward eradicating hunger and ensuring food security for all.
Further work that will be done in this regard, include a peer-reviewed publication on Social Justice, Hunger and the Constitution providing measurable insights and recommendations, as well as a policy brief to the government setting out constitutional obligations regarding the right to food and its relationship with the SDG goal of ending hunger, incorporating some thoughts on policy hits and misses in the first three decades of democracy and possibilities for progress under the Government of National Unity (GNU).
Finally, to accelerate progress on the Musa Plan for Social Justice (Musa Plan), incorporating innovative ways it could contribute to advancing freedom from hunger and the right to food in fulfilment of constitutional commitments regarding establishing a society that is based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights, we urge you to join us at the 5th International Social Justice Conference on 17 October 2024 at the Artscape Theatre Centre, Cape Town, South Africa. The outcomes of the Conference will feed into the 6th Annual Social Justice Summit, which will take place on 18 October 2024. This timely gathering will also inform the upcoming UN-hosted Second World Summit for Social Development in 2025.