"Ons is 'n nasie van mense wat lief is vir kos, want kos is lekker! (We are a nation of food loving people, precisely because food is delightful!)," said MEC Mase Manopole during the World Food Day Celebration in Boegoeberg in the ZF Mgcawu district of the Northern Cape. The Department celebrated the day under the theme, " "Our action are our future, better production,  better nutrition,  a better environment and better life." 

MEC Manopole said for years,  food has been a unifying element that brings people together.  "Kos is 'n verenigende element wat mense bymekaar bring. Vir baie jare sal mense mekaar liefde toon deur die kos wat hulle kook en hulle voel geliefde as iemand vir hulle 'n gunsteling maaltyd kook," she said. In the Province, food access problems are more serious with 32.3% of our people still going to bed hungry. "The challenge is mainly because ONLY 2% of households in the Province, grow their own food. The remaining percentage buy their fruit and vegetables at shops." 

"Backyard food gardens remain the cornerstone of our household economies. For years, households have been using backyard food gardens to feed their families and sell the remaining produce to the market," she said.The profit made from the sales of the produce will assist in taking children through school and even pay for their university fees.The community will also share the produce with each other, especially to those who were unable to harvest more.  

The MEC was joined by Mr Thabo Olivier, a sustainable food security expert, and the Councillor Ms. Madendorp. The MEC further donated vegetable seeds and implements to the school and the community. 

#WorldFoodDay2021 
#EndPoverty #BetterNutrition 
#BetterEnvironment #ZeroHunger