By Qhawekazi Mahlalela / South African Food Sovereignty Campaign
The South African Food Sovereignty Campaign (SAFSC) was established to unite a diverse coalition of organizations, social movements, small-scale farmers, fishers, farmworkers, informal traders, and NGOs with a common goal: to champion food sovereignty across South Africa. Since its inception in 2014, SAFSC has been at the forefront of building bottom-up food sovereignty pathways in communities, towns, and cities.
Our mission is to challenge the corporate-driven global food system and advocate for a fundamental shift in food policy that aligns with Section 27 of the South African Constitution, which guarantees the right to food. With hunger worsening and food inflation soaring, SAFSC's work is more critical than ever. In response to these pressing issues, SAFSC has been actively revising our Food Sovereignty Act and Policies, a process that has deepened our connection with the communities we serve and reinforced our commitment to grassroots-driven change.
Our journey to revise the Food Sovereignty Act and Policy began with a series of nationwide community dialogues aimed at gathering input directly from those most affected by the current food system. Over the past few months, our team has travelled to Cape Town, Durban, East London, and Johannesburg, engaging with community activists who are on the
front lines of the fight for food justice. These engagements were not merely formalities; they were opportunities to listen, learn, and incorporate the lived experiences, challenges, and aspirations of communities into the revised drafts of the Act and Policies.
The feedback we received was both candid and constructive, providing crucial insights that have shaped our approach to food sovereignty. Once the initial revisions were completed, we opened up the drafts for public comment, inviting all South Africans to participate in this democratic process. This step was essential in ensuring that the policies we advocate for are not just top-down impositions but are reflective of the collective will and wisdom of the people.
By engaging with a broad spectrum of voices, we are building a movement that is inclusive, equitable, and rooted in the principles of food sovereignty. As we move forward, a significant milestone awaits us on October 16th, World Food Day, when we will be taking the revised Food Sovereignty Act to Parliament. This date is symbolic, not just because it highlights the global struggle for food sovereignty, but because it underscores the urgency of our mission.
By bringing this Act and Policy to Parliament, we are challenging the status quo and advocating for a food system that prioritizes the rights and well-being of all South Africans, especially the most vulnerable.
In parallel with our legislative efforts, SAFSC is undertaking two critical projects: a Food Sovereignty Water Audit and a Garden Mapping initiative. These initiatives are designed to explore and document the intricate connections between water, land, and food sovereignty. The Water Audit will assess how water resources are managed and used within communities, highlighting areas where access to water is a barrier to achieving food sovereignty.
The Garden Mapping initiative, on the other hand, seeks to document and support community gardens across the country, recognizing them as vital spaces of resistance, resilience, and transformation. Both projects are part of our broader strategy to promote agroecology and sustainable food practices that are rooted in the principles of social and environmental justice. By mapping gardens and auditing water use, we are not only gathering data but also empowering communities to take control of their food systems.
At SAFSC, our work is guided by a simple yet profound belief: that food sovereignty is not just a goal, but a fundamental right. As we approach World Food Day, we call on all South Africans to join us in this struggle. Together, we can create a future where food systems are fair, sustainable, and inclusive, where every person has access to healthy and culturally appropriate food, and where the environment is protected for future generations.
Comments