In an attempt to enhance awareness about the importance of healthy eating and achieving a balanced and healthy lifestyle, the DBE, through the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP), recognized National Nutrition Week (NNW) during 9 – 15 October 2024, with an annual event celebrated in collaboration with Nestlé, on 11 October 2024, at Tlholohelo Junior Primary School, Soweto in the Gauteng Province. In addition, NNW was commemorated on 17 October at Kunana Primary School, Khunwana Village in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District in the North West Province. This year, the NNW campaign is celebrated under the theme: “Eat Right for a Better Life”, which reminds us how crucial good nutrition is in feeling better, achieving more and ultimately living life to its fullest.

A health survey conducted by the National Food and Nutrition Security Survey (NFNSS) conveys a concern in the health and nutrition trends of learners, with 22.6% of children under the age of 5 considered to be overweight and or obese. This highlights a growing concern in early childhood nutrition and feeding practices that requires urgent attention. Amongst other indicators of health issues emanating from poor or malnutrition are stunting and wasting, which have also seen an increase over the years.

The objectives of National Nutrition Week 2024 are to increase knowledge among adults, school children and caregivers about the types of foods that can promote physical and mental health and wellbeing. Another aim is to increase knowledge amongst communities and caregivers of the types of food and feeding practices that are necessary for optimal growth and development of infants and young children. It is also important to increase awareness of the importance of the food environment in making nutritious food available, accessible and affordable for all and how individuals can contribute to improving it, and ensure the consumption of nutritious food options that enable optimal health and contribute to the prevention of obesity and Non-Communicable Diseases.

Ms Pontsho Mogorosi, Principal of Tlholohelo Primary School relayed a message of encouragement to parents and caregivers to participate in practising a healthy lifestyle at home to prevent leaders developing poor health conditions that develop into life threatening morbidities as they get older.

In his keynote address, Mr Makubetse Sekhonyane, Chief Director for School Support at the Gauteng Department of Education emphasized that, “good nutrition is key to living a healthy life. When people eat well, they have more energy, less disease, and can ultimately enjoy a better wellbeing. The first step to eating right is having access to affordable and nutritious food which is why we need to advocate for better access to nutritious foods in local communities and schools by promoting the harvesting of these food materials by and for our learners”.

This campaign is not only important in increasing the knowledge about the benefits of eating a variety of nutritious foods that can promote physical and mental health and wellbeing, but also the importance of safe food handling and preparation. The Department thus has called an additional partnership with the McCain group who have pledged to donate active trees that can be planted in schools to help cultivate healthy produce for healthy minds.