Malnutrition in South Africa no longer looks the way it used to. Gone are the only images of children who are too thin or visibly undernourished. Today, the country faces a complex “double burden” of malnutrition—where obesity now rivals underweight, often driven by poverty, not abundance.
As the nation observes National Nutrition Week and World Food Day, organisations like Afrika Tikkun are seeing firsthand how nutrition challenges have evolved—and why a comprehensive, systemic response is essential.
Obesity and Poverty: Two Sides of the Same Coin
“Malnutrition doesn’t only look like an underweight child anymore,” says Nellie Zembe, Group Head of Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning at Afrika Tikkun. “We’re seeing children who are overweight or obese because they’re not eating the right foods. Families are filling stomachs, not nourishing bodies.”
According to UNICEF, obesity has overtaken underweight as the most common form of malnutrition among school-aged children and adolescents in South Africa. Poor-quality diets are driving both malnutrition and obesity within the same communities.
“Rising food prices force families to prioritize calories over nutrition,” Zembe explains. “Cheap, energy-dense, starch-heavy meals fill hunger gaps but provide little in terms of vitamins and minerals.”
Food Security as a Foundation for Learning and Development
Afrika Tikkun integrates nutrition into its Cradle-to-Career 360° model, supporting over 5,000 children and youth across five centres.
- Early childhood: Children in the Bambanani ECD programme receive up to four nutritious meals daily, including fruits, vegetables, and protein.
- School-age children: Receive two meals daily, combined with monitoring of BMI and nutrition education.
“These aren’t just feeding programmes,” Zembe emphasizes. “We teach children the connection between what they eat and how they learn and thrive.”
A Holistic Approach: Gardens, Sports, and Agripreneurship
Through the Garden-to-Kindergarten (G2K) initiative, children aged 2–6 learn to grow vegetables and develop sustainable food habits. For school-going children, this foundation supports concentration, attendance, and academic performance.
Nutrition is paired with sports and recreation programmes, addressing obesity’s impact on motor skills, confidence, and classroom engagement.
Afrika Tikkun also extends nutrition security into economic empowerment through its Agripreneurship programme. Young adults (18–35) receive 12 months of training to become agricultural leaders and entrepreneurs, creating local food production solutions and sustainable micro-enterprises.
Empowering Families and Building Sustainability
Parents are critical partners in this approach. Afrika Tikkun teaches families to grow spinach, beetroot, and sunflowers in small urban spaces, demonstrating that healthy food doesn’t have to be expensive.
“It’s about pride and empowerment,” Zembe notes. “When families grow what they eat, it transforms how they view nutrition and their role in tackling food insecurity.”
A Call for Systemic Change
“Feeding children is not enough,” Zembe stresses. “We must ensure the food is nutritious, supports growth and learning, and connects to broader educational and livelihood outcomes.”
Afrika Tikkun calls for stronger partnerships between government, corporates, and NGOs to improve food quality, expand access, and ensure comprehensive monitoring.
“Real change happens when nutrition is integrated into every stage of a child’s journey—from early learning, sports, and skills training to employment. That’s how we create capable, healthy, and productive adults.”
