The National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP), in collaboration with the Nutrition Society of South Africa (NSSA), University of Johannesburg (UJ) and the Tiger Brands Foundation (TBF), hosted their first webinar on nutrition matters, titled: “Nutrition Status of Children in South Africa”, on 22 May 2025. School nutrition is a frequent topic for scientific research and three more webinars are planned to provide a platform for sharing the latest research findings to understand the complex relationship between diet, health and academic performance. Ms Carina Müller, DBE’s Chief Education Specialist, facilitated the webinar: “The contribution of independent researchers and research institutions on nutrition cannot be underplayed.
Dr Granville Whittle, DBE’s DDG for Care and Support, delivered the opening address, flagging the importance of the NSNP as the main pro-poor government initiative for school feeding, with a budget allocation of 10.3 billion for the current financial year to feed almost 10 million children per day. Two meals, a breakfast porridge and a cooked lunch, are provided in most provinces. In addition, Treasury has made available additional funding to pilot the introduction of a nutrition programme to Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centres.
TBF Trustee, Ms Mary-Jane Molifi, spoke about the successes of the NSNP and the longstanding relationship with the DBE, having served approximately 165 million breakfast meals since its inception in 2011, contributing to improved academic performance, enhance school attendance and the overall health outcomes of learners. “Along with the training of Volunteer Food Handlers, nutrition education and restoring the dignity of the child through quality, healthy and hygienic meals, have been a priority during the public-private partnership”. She expressed her appreciation to the Star Foundation, for their support as partnership remains key to the successes of the NSNP.
Prof Salome Kruger shared a presentation on “The nutritional status of primary school age children in the North West Province”. The anthropometric study conducted with 1,103 children in 10 schools and in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District, and published in 2023, confirmed the prevalence of stunting, overweight and obesity and an overall decrease in physical activity. Fruit and vegetable consumption remains low and sugar increase and savoury snacks increased. COVID-19 was cited as a possible contributing factor since the study was conducted from 1997 to 2022. She added that African studies reveal a concerning trend of Hypertension in children.
A presentation on “The effect of the in-school breakfast programme on the nutritional status of learners in the Mpumalanga Province: A Baseline Study”, was presented by Dr Eridiong Onyenweaku. Research conducted over March, June and November 2024 amongst 371 Grades 5, 6 and 7 learners in eight schools, indicate that malnutrition rates, social stunting and overweight and obesity levels remain high. In addition, she shared success stories on the NSNP breakfast meals, suggesting that nutrition education should be added to the school curriculum and the cultivation of school gardens must be prioritised for fresh fruits and vegetables to be cultivated and consumed in schools.
Ms Angelique Carson-Porter spoke to the “Household dietary diversity and nutritional status of pre-school children in peri-urban and rural settings in the Free State Province”. The study, conducted at 10 ECD Centres from 2022 to 2024, indicates an increased reliance on school support grants. The findings indicated minimum dietary diversity low in diary, legumes, fruit, vegetables, milk, fibre and hydro nutrients. As in the above study, this contributes to increased overweight and obesity amongst children.
Ms Helen Donkin from KhulaNathi (Grow with Us), shared insights on “Growth monitoring in ECD Centres: Using simple tools to track and respond to malnutrition in the Eastern Cape Province”, although their Nutrition and Wash; Play and Learn; and ECD Registration and Support Programmes have also been operational in the KwaZulu-Natal Province since 2014. The study in the Alfred Nzo District, one of the poorest communities with high levels of unemployment, included 3,956 four to five year-old children at ECD Centres. She indicated that ECD menu development must be sensitive to cultural needs and budget planning, and that nutrition practices at ECD Centres should include nutritious meals; screening; and basic nutrition education. The study, using Dimagi CommCare digital support tools, revealed that stunting, obese and overweight children remain a concern with school feeding.
In closing, Ms Müller expressed her gratitude to the presenters, as well as the online delegates, who contributed to the success of the webinar. The next Nutrition Webinar is scheduled for the last quarter of 2025.
Photographs: Courtesy of Rogan Ward