South Africa's Hidden Hunger: Why Millions Can't Afford Food

South Africa Faces Food Crisis: Economic Inaccessibility, Not Scarcity, is the Root Cause South Africa, June 5, 2025 – A recent video report highlights a critical food crisis affecting a substantial portion of the South African population. The issue, according to Dr. Yvonne Erasmus, a senior researcher featured in the video, is not a lack of food production, but rather a severe lack of economic access. "The situation is dire," states Dr. Erasmus, "yet we seem to have normalized the crisis in our country because it's within households and not always visible." The video reveals that South Africa produces more food than it consumes, exporting a considerable amount annually. However, a significant portion of the population struggles to afford even a nutritious basic diet. Dr. Erasmus points out the shame associated with food insecurity, impacting even those earning the national minimum wage, such as domestic and farm workers. The video shows scenes of people on the streets receiving food handouts, underscoring the severity of the situation. The key takeaway, according to Dr. Erasmus, is the "mismatch between the food that is available and it reaching the people that need it." The video concludes with a call for greater enforcement of the national minimum wage to address this critical issue. This food insecurity crisis is a complex issue with far-reaching consequences. Addressing it requires not only economic solutions but also a renewed focus on social justice and equitable distribution of resources.