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MISA’s aim to fight child hunger

May 20, 2025 MISA, Motor Industry Staff Association, Martle Keyter, Child Protection Week, International Nelson Mandela Day, Women’s Month, #MadibaDay

MISA’s aim to fight child hunger

More than 155 children have died since January due to malnutrition in state hospitals. These shocking figures was revealed by Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi in response to a parliamentary question. His department earlier admitted that annually over 15 000 children are annually diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition, with 1 000 dying directly from it.

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. Therefore MISA, the Motor Industry Staff Association, identified child hunger, malnutrition and stunting as a national crisis and believe the Union has a social responsibility on behalf of its more than 71 000 to take active steps to bring relief.

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 is 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. Of the country’s 20 million children, an estimated 38% (7,9 million) are living below the food poverty line and 70% (14,6 million) are living below the upper-bound-poverty line.

Child poverty has risen sharply since 2019. In 2022, an additional 1,3 million children were living below the food poverty line and 3,4 million more children below the upper-bound-poverty line. A large portion of children in South Africa live in households that cannot afford the most basic nutrition and non-food essentials. Over a third of children living below the food poverty line are food insecure and at risk for malnourishment.

South Africa ranks among one of the 34 mostly low-income countries accounting for 90% of the world’s stunted children, despite its middle-income status. Stunting is a sign of impaired growth and development caused by chronic undernutrition (insufficient caloric intake). Infections caused by poor sanitation and access to water can further compromise children’s nutritional health.

Keyter says MISA’s project for 2025 is to assist as many non-profit organisations possible feeding our children. This project will be the Union’s main theme for Child Protection Week, International Nelson Mandela Day, Women’s Month to be completed at the end of the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence. This year’s theme of #MadibaDay is “It’s still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity.”

MISA challenges everyone, including its staff, various Committees, Employers, and Provinces to start collecting the following items for the MISA fighting Child Hunger Challenge:

• Tinned food (pilchards for example)

• Peanut butter

• Fortified Maize

• White Rice

• Soya Mince

• Speckled beans

• Soup Mix

These items are considered the “best buys” for households because they are high in protein and micronutrients, also having a long shelf life. These items will be donated by the Union to identified non-profit organisations in our regions.

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 082 463 6806 or e-mail Sonja.Carstens@ms.org.za. Issued on behalf of MISA by Carstens.

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