AUTOFORUM

MISA is fighting Child Hunger

Jul 11, 2025 MISA, Motor Industry Staff Association, Martle Keyter, Sonja Carstens, Fight Child Hunger Challenge, Child and Youth Care Centre

MISA is fighting Child Hunger

Nationwide, non-profit organisations are struggling to make ends meet due to the lack of funding from Government amidst an increasing need to provide food to vulnerable groups. Especially children, the elderly and the disabled.

Earlier this year MISA (Motor Industry Staff Association) announced the Union’s Fight Child Hunger Challenge, asking all our members, staff, tenants, and stakeholders to start collecting the following items:

• Tinned food (pilchards for example);

• Peanut butter;

• Fortified Maize;

• White Rice;

• Soya Mince;

• Speckled beans;

• Soup Mix.

These items are considered “best buys” for households because they are high in protein and micronutrients and have a long shelf life.

Ashlee Carstens, a student and daughter of MISA’s Media and Communication Department Manager, Sonja Carstens, used her own money to donate peanut butter and rice. “I know it is a very small contribution, but I believe a little can go a long way. If everyone donates just two items, it will give massive relief for those who need it most,” says Ashlee.

Heidi Reid (MISA President) handed over the first donation to the Child and Youth Care Centre in George, Western Cape. This non-profit organisation cares for children between the ages of 2 – 18 who have been placed in their care by the Court. It is a registered place of safety for emergency placements.

Guests at MISA’s first Women’s Breakfast in George were required to bring one of these items as entry to attend. This function celebrates women in the retail motor industry and all it’s female members during women’s month. “Wow George, I am super proud of your massive donation. I challenge the other ladies in the other regions to do better than this,” said Reid. MISA will be hosting breakfasts in Cape Town, East London, Gqeberha, Klerksdorp, Bloemfontein, Durban and Johannesburg over the next six weeks where further handovers to non-profit organisations will be done.

A 2024 Unicef report found that 23% of South African children experience severe food poverty, eating less than two of the recommended five food groups per day. Unemployment, food insecurity, limited access to basic services and a lack of knowledge about nutrition all contributes to this. Martlé Keyter, MISA’s Chief Executive Officer: Operations, says according to a comprehensive research report submitted to NEDLAC’s Cost of Living Task Team, 29% of children in South Africa under the age of five are stunted, preventing proper development because of malnutrition, while 15% are hungry. The gap between hunger and stunting arises because children are getting non-nutritious foods that only curbs their hunger.

Keyter appeals to everyone to accept the Union’s Challenge by buying some of the items and contacting Sonja Carstens, Manager of MISA's Media & Communication Department, to facilitate with the nearest collection point.

For more information contact Carstens on Sonja.Carstens@ms.org.za.