Malnutrition is South Africa’s most pressing child health crisis. The incidence of severe acute malnutrition among children under 5 had been steadily declining since the early 2000s, but this progress has been sharply reversed in recent years. Between 2020/2021 and 2021/2022, the incidence of severe acute malnutrition increased by 33% nationwide. Stunting – when a child is too short for their age – is a key indicator of chronic malnutrition and remains persistently high in South Africa, affecting more than 25% of children under 5.
This policy brief, published by the Hold my Hand accelerator, proposes making protein-rich and nutrient-dense foods more affordable, increasing families’ purchasing power through child-centred social protection, and strengthening local food production and supply chains. Collaboration across government, industry, and civil society is imperative to ensure that no child in South Africa goes hungry.
