FIGHTING FOOD INSECURITY, HUNGER, AND POVERTY: THE CONTENT AND CONTEXT OF THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC RIGHT OF ACCESS TO SUFFICIENT FOOD IN SOUTH AFRICA

Abstract

Poverty, lack of access to food, low income, hunger, unemployment and malnutrition are all interrelated because they undermine fundamental human rights and are a blatant affront to human dignity and section 27 of the South African Constitution. These factors have a direct impact on the realisation of the right to have access to sufficient food and poverty alleviation. Against this backdrop, this article examines major causes of food insecurity in South African rural households. Using an in-depth analysis of literature, previous studies, government reports, and policies aimed at poverty alleviation, this article examines some of the various poverty-alleviation strategies that the government has adopted in promoting rural food security. In this instance, the importance of social grants and land-based livelihood strategies – specifically subsistence farming – are analysed to determine the extent to which these strategies promote household food security and combat poverty and hunger in rural households.