COVID-19 impacts on household affordability of food and nutrition security: An analysis of South Africa in 2020

Thesis (MScFoodSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2021.

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted local food systems in South Africa, amplifying its many challenges. Millions of people were thrust into hunger, deprivation and unemployment reached an unprecedented high of 30.8%. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of the pandemic on core food prices and the household core food basket. Statistic’s South Africa data and the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice & Dignity Group prices were tracked and contrasted over a period of time to assess the direct effect the COVID-19 pandemic had on the affordability of food and nutrition security. It was revealed that the cost of food and nutrition escalated during the months of lockdown which reached beyond the affordability thresholds of the unemployed and for families living on low incomes.

AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die COVID 19 pandemie het plaaslike voedselvoorsieningstelsels in Suid Afrika ontwrig deur die reeds baie uitdagings verder te versterk. Miljoene mense is in hongersnood gedompel, verlieste is gely en die werkloosheidsyfer het die ongehoorde hoogte van 30.8% bereik. Die doel van hierdie studie is om ondersoek in te stel na watter uitwerking die pandemie gehad het op lewensbelangrike voedselpryse en huishoudings. Statistics South Africa se data en die Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice & Dignity Group se pryse is nagegaan en vergelyk oor ‘n periode van tyd om vas te stel wat die direkte uitwerking was wat die COVID-19 pandemie op die bekostigbaarheid van voedsel en sekuriteit van voeding gehad het. Daar word bevind dat die koste van voedsel en voeding toegeneem het tydens die maande van inperking dat werklose mense en families met lae lewensinkomstes dit nie meer kan bekostig nie.

Masters