An Appraisal of Household Food Security Programmes for Promoting Sustainable Livelihoods in South Africa

Abstract

The study evaluated the level of participation among low-income households in South Africa particularly in the Sedibeng District Municipality (SDM). The study addressed the prospects of self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods in SDM, South Africa. This study is attached to the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) number 1: “eradication of hunger and poverty’. Acute food shortages and hunger are currently experienced globally, caused by skills shortages and unemployment. Today more than 800 million people are hungry around the world, and that number continues to grow. In SDM unemployment and poverty are on the rise despite the economic growth experienced. It is estimated that 40% of the population in SDM is vulnerable to food insecurity. The food security challenges impact the country’s sustainable development. In South Africa, the national, provincial, and local governments launched several HFSP projects to complement the high levels of poverty. The study found that the HFSP provide food supplements to vulnerable communities. Furthermore, the HFSP project serves to incorporate the participation of the community encourages a greater role for the entire food system and is devoted to developing new jobs. It is believed that policy innovations and maintenance could contribute towards long-term programmes for alleviating poverty globally. Low-income households were more likely to be food secure, however, such households did not participate in food security programs. The study found that the non-participating household compromised the quality of the food consumption. Households lacked access to water and land infrastructure, and this compromised the quality of food consumption. Most households depend on social grants and the informal economy to improve the level of food security.