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The Western Cape Government will spend over R558 million on food provision programmes across its departments over the next three financial years, or Medium-term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) period.

This was revealed as Members of the Provincial Parliament continue their work on the recently-tabled Western Cape Appropriation Bill for 2024/25.

A total of R166.615 million has been allocated over the 2024 MTEF to the Department of Social Development for Poverty Alleviation and Sustainable livelihoods initiatives. Most of this funding is for the provision of food relief to our most vulnerable residents, as the rising cost of living and unemployment remain issues that affect our communities intensely.

Included in the DSD funding is an allocation of R139.484 million over the 2024 MTEF for food distribution centres and community nutrition distribution centres. DSD estimates that through this funding, 9 620 vulnerable persons will be provided with subsidised meals in the 2024/25 financial year and aims to meet the same target in each year of the 2024 MTEF.

In addition, the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) feeds 485 000 learners daily through the National School Nutrition Programme. Because grant funding from national government is insufficient, additional allocations of R63.895 million in 2024/25, R67.254 million in 2025/26, and R70.280 million in 2026/27 have been made from the provincial budget, on top of the R1.642 billion over the 2024 MTEF from national grants.

The WCED also provides feeding at Mass Opportunity and Development (MOD) Centres, YeBo sites, and in clusters with the City of Cape Town as part of its support for after school programmes. To continue this initiative, the MOD Centre feeding scheme will receive a budget allocation of R213.060 million over the 2024 MTEF.

MPP Deidre Baartman says: “While we continue to lift people out of poverty through job creation, the DA also understands that we must protect our most vulnerable residents. The Western Cape government’s budget allocations for food distribution shows a government that is committed to ensuring that there is ample support available to combat hunger in the province.”

Issued by Deidré Baartman, MPP - DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Budget