Social Development
Given that approximately 54% of people in the province experience hunger or food insecurity, and that the City of Cape Town recorded more than 240 000 food insecure households in 2024 despite being one of the wealthiest metropolitan economies in South Africa:
- What specific interventions has his Department implemented to address household food insecurity and (b) what measurable outcomes have these interventions achieved over the past financial year?
The Department of Social Development contributes to the Western Cape Government's collective approach, working in partnership with departments such as Education and Health, as well as SASSA to address this need. This collaborative effort complements the services and interventions provided directly by the Department of Social Development.
The Department through the Sustainable Livelihoods Programme currently provides funding support to 55 Non-Profit Organisations, managing 102 CNDCs, 65 community kitchens and 17 feeding sites. The CNDCs form part of the Department’s integrated response to food insecurity. CNDCs provide daily nutritious meals to vulnerable individuals and households, including out- of school children and persons with disabilities. In addition to meal provision, many CNDCs implement complementary community development initiatives, household food gardens, skills and income generating projects as well as livelihoods support through work opportunities, to promote self-reliance and community resilience. The CNDCs are located across all six (6) regions of the province in communities with the highest levels of poverty and food insecurity, ensuring equitable geographic coverage and accessibility for vulnerable households.
For the previous financial year 2025-26, a total budget of R49 056 000.00 has been committed to sustain CNDC and community kitchens operations, inclusive of food procurement for cooked meals and food parcels, work opportunities (cooks and programme officers), Sustainable Livelihoods Skills and income generating projects, Norms and Standards and operational costs.
(The detailed grid attached outlines the following: Number of operational CNDCs, Service delivery areas and Number of beneficiaries supported to access daily nutritious meals: Annexure A- Sustainable Livelihoods Database of funded NPOs 2025/2026).
(b) The CNDCs and community kitchens collectively reached about 27 071 beneficiaries per month (non-cumulative), providing access to daily nutritious meals for 5 days per week, throughout the year and complementary development initiatives to promote well-being and improve resilience.
