The Department of Basic Education (DBE) and Nestlé will close off the celebrations of the National Nutrition and Obesity Week (NNOW) on Wednesday, 17 October 2018 at Blaauwskop Intermediate School in Kanoneiland, Upington. This year the NNOW is celebrated under the theme: “Breakfast – the best way to start your day”.

The department has also partnered with a broad coalition of health partners including leading non-profit organisations, health professional associations as well the National and Provincial Departments of Health. This partnership has seen the alignment of National Nutrition Week (9 – 15 October 2018) with National Obesity Week (15 – 19 October 2018) to promote a shared and very important message that eating breakfast is the best way to start your day.

National Nutrition and Obesity Week is geared at highlighting the importance of a good and healthy breakfast while heightening the focus on promoting healthy lifestyles to avoid social disabilities such as obesity. In South Africa, only about 23% of children specifically between 6 months to 23 months meet the minimum standards for an acceptable quality diet.

The DBE and Nestlé nutrition awareness partnership is now in its 6^th year and to date, over 80 000 learners have been reached. The overall objective of this partnership is to support and realise the department’s strategic goal of ensuring the health and wellness of learners in South Africa.

Members of media are invited to attend the NNOW celebrations as follows:

Date:              Wednesday, 17 October 2018

Time:            07h30

Venue:           Blaauwskop Intermediate School, Kanoneiland, Upington

Enquiries:     DBE: Elijah Mhlanga: 083 580 8275

                        Nestlé: Zweli Mnisi: 082 312 8940

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF BASIC EDUCATION