World Food Day serves as a critical reminder of the importance of healthy nutrition, especially for vulnerable children. In South Africa, the Do More Foundation is stepping up to address the country’s malnutrition crisis by focusing on the youngest members of society.
This year, in partnership with key early childhood development (ECD) stakeholders, including the department of health, the foundation is launching a series of initiatives aimed at improving nutrition literacy among 1 000 ECD practitioners and cooks. The goal is clear: to ensure that children receive the nutritious food they need for healthy growth and development.
Malnutrition is a severe issue in South Africa, with 23% of children experiencing child food poverty, according to Unicef. This means that nearly one in four children is at risk of life-threatening malnutrition, which can lead to long-term health complications.
Jabu Mthembu-Dlamini, community programmes lead at the Do More Foundation, emphasised the urgency of the situation: “As a key focus of our programme, we’re committed to enhancing childhood nutrition. We believe that empowering ECD practitioners and cooks to make informed, healthy choices – despite their resource constraints – is essential.
“The alarming reality is that 90% of brain growth occurs between birth and age five, and malnutrition during this period can have lasting, devastating effects, including stunting, which hinders cognitive development and ultimately, an individual’s future economic prospects.”
Jabu Mthembu-Dlamini
ECD centres as hubs for health and nutrition
ECD centres play a vital role in ensuring children from disadvantaged households receive the balanced, nutritious meals they may not get at home. The Do More Foundation is working closely with these centres to position them as hubs of health and nutrition, particularly in communities facing significant food insecurity.
Throughout the year, the Do More Foundation hosts Young Child Forums in seven South African communities, where nutritionists from the department of health and other organisations conduct cooking demonstrations.
These sessions are designed to teach ECD practitioners and cooks how to prepare nutritious meals using recipes developed by Unicef and the health department. Attendees also get to taste the meals and are provided with grocery vouchers to replicate the recipes at their centres.
Rose Phelembe, chairperson of the Nkomazi Young Child Forum, stressed the importance of ECD centres in supporting children’s overall health.
“ECD centres play a crucial role in ensuring children from disadvantaged households access balanced, nutritious meals, something they might not always receive at home.
Rose Phelembe
“The centres follow strict dietary guidelines verified by the department of health, which positively impacts children’s health, supporting healthy growth and development. This structured nutrition, alongside health monitoring and education, sets children up for success early on. This inclusive approach underlines the importance of ECDs not just as educational spaces, but as hubs of health and nutrition, particularly for vulnerable children,” said Phelembe.
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World Food Day: A day of action
Today, on World Food Day, 40 ECD centres across South Africa will receive hands-on support from local partner organisations and over 40 staff volunteers, affectionately known as “Do More Heroes.” These volunteers will assist the centres in preparing and serving nutritious meals to the approximately 2 000 young children in their care.
The centres will also receive a healthy recipe book, groceries, and nutrition charts from Repurpose for Purpose, the Do More Foundation’s early learning resource development program. These resources aim to empower ECD centres to provide healthy meals regularly and track children’s health metrics, such as weight and height, to ensure they are meeting developmental milestones.
A collaborative approach to addressing malnutrition
Collaboration is at the heart of the Do More Foundation’s approach to tackling malnutrition in young children. By working with a diverse range of partners, including government departments, NGOs, and local communities, the foundation can address this complex issue from multiple angles.
Phelembe highlighted the importance of this collaborative effort: “Working with a wide variety of organisations and government departments allows for a comprehensive approach to tackling the issues young children face. It enables the sharing of responsibilities, with each group contributing its expertise. Whether it’s nutrition, health, or education, every stakeholder has a role in creating solutions.”
The efforts of the Do More Foundation, along with its partners, are a powerful example of how collective action can make a real difference in the lives of South Africa’s children. By providing essential resources, knowledge, and support to ECD centres, the foundation is helping to secure a brighter, healthier future for the country’s youngest citizens.
Childhood malnutrition is a national crisis that requires immediate and sustained action. World Food Day offers an opportunity to not only raise awareness but also take tangible steps toward solving the problem. By focusing on empowering ECD centres and practitioners, the Do More Foundation is making a meaningful impact on the health and well-being of young children across South Africa.
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