Government has since last year, embarked on a mix of interventions to alleviate the impact of high food prices on the lives of all South Africans, especially the poor, and to build food security in the future.

In a bid to intensify its food security programme for poor households nation-wide, Free State premier Winkie Direko this morning distributed food parcels and agricultural starter packs to approximately 3 000 families at the Charles Mopeli Stadium in Phuthaditjhaba, Qwa Qwa.

About 1000 families received maize meal food packages from local business, while 2000 families received food parcels worth R250 from Government.

The Premier said the food security programme was aimed at pushing back the frontiers of poverty by targeting the most destitute and impoverished families, especially in the nodal points of the Integrated Rural Development Programme.

‘We urge business, faith-based organizations, community-based organizations and society at large to work closely with local and provincial government in ensuring the success of this programme.’
Targeted recipients are families that have little or no income, children, orphans, child headed homes and persons living with HIV/AIDS.

Government’s short-term measures to combat high food prices, includes the intensification of campaigns to provide food parcels to vulnerable households, to encourage schools, community and household food gardens with food garden production starter packs.

In addition, government is also considering extending its child support grant to children up to the age of 14 years old, and will be enhancing its school nutrition programme.

Finance Minister Trevor Manuel, in his Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) on October 29 2002, announced government’s food security programme with a R400-million allocation.

Since the end of December the programme has been implemented in Beaufort West, Western Cape, Galeshewe, Northern Cape, and areas around Richards Bay in KwaZulu Natal.

Agricultural Minister Thoko Didiza and Social Development Minister Zola Skweyiya are expected to announce the national launch of the programme later this month -BuaNews.