Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

How Food Secure Are South Africa’s Cities?

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
The Geography of South Africa

Part of the book series: World Regional Geography Book Series ((WRGBS))

  • 2041 Accesses

Abstract

Food insecurity in South Africa remains a persistent challenge. Traditionally, food insecurity has been seen as affecting rural areas only, and this perspective had previously informed, and is still informing, policy and food security responses. South Africa is over 60% urbanised and yet policies and mandates regarding food security do not reflect this shift. This chapter seeks to answer the question ‘how food secure are South Africa’s cities?’, describing the state of food insecurity in South Africa’s cities, but also highlighting the specific nature of urban food insecurity. The chapter argues that food insecurity is the result of poorly framed and mandated policies, that food insecurity is driven by changes in the food system, and that spatial and structural issues also drive food insecurity. These challenges are reinforced in cities where the food insecure rely on the market as a means to ensure food availability. South Africa’s cities are food insecure and will remain so within the current market and governance regimes.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 149.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Altman M, Hart TGB, Jacobs PT (2009) Household food security status in South Africa. Agrekon 48(4):345–361

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ballantine N, Rousseau GG, Venter DJL (2008) Purchasing behaviour as a determinant of food insecurity in Klipplaat. J Fam Ecol Consum Sci 36:1–8

    Google Scholar 

  • Battersby J (2011) The state of urban food insecurity in Cape Town, Urban Food Security Series No 11. Queen’s University and AFSUN, Kingston, 42pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Battersby J (2012a) Urban food security and the urban food policy gap. Paper presented at Towards Carnegie III Conference, University of Cape Town, 3–7 September 2012

    Google Scholar 

  • Battersby J (2012b) Beyond the food desert: finding ways to speak about urban food security in South Africa. Geogr Ann Ser B Hum Geogr 94(2):141–158

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Battersby J, Peyton S (2014) The geography of supermarkets in Cape Town: supermarket expansion and food access. Urban Forum 25(2):153–164

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Battersby J, Marshak M, Mngqibisa N (2016) Mapping the invisible: the informal food economy of Cape Town, South Africa, Urban Food Security Series No 24. African Food Security Urban Network (AFSUN), Cape Town, 46pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Beaumont J, Lang T, Leather S, Mucklow C (1995) Report from the policy sub-group to the nutrition taskforce: low-income project team. Institute of Grocery Distribution, Watford

    Google Scholar 

  • Bienabe E, Vermeulen H (2007) New trends in supermarkets procurement system in South Africa: the case of local procurement schemes from small-scale farmers by rural-based retail chain stores. Department of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development, Pretoria, 21pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Bikombo BG (2015) Understanding household food insecurity and coping strategies of street traders in Durban. Unpublished masters thesis, Department of Human Ecology, University of South Africa, 121pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Coates J, Swindale A, Bilinsky P (2007) Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) for measurement of food access: indicator guide. USAid, Washington, DC, 34pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Cooke K (2012) Urban food access: a study of the lived experience of food access within a low income community in Cape Town. Unpublished MA Thesis, University of Cape Town, 175pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Crush J, Tawodzera G (2012) Household food security among Zimbabwean migrant households in Cape Town and Johannesburg. African Food Security Urban Network (AFSUN), Cape Town

    Google Scholar 

  • Department of Agriculture (DOA) (2002) Integrated food security strategy for South Africa. Department of Agriculture, Pretoria, 47pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Department of Basic Education (DOE) (2013) Case study of the national school nutrition programme in South Africa. Department of Basic Education, Pretoria, 107pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Department of Health (DOH) (2002) Integrated nutrition programme strategic plan 2002/03 to 2006/07. Department of Health, Pretoria, 54pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Department of Health (DOH) (2017) South Africa demographic and health survey, 2016: key indicators report. Department of Health, Pretoria, 76pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Drimie S, Ruysenaar S (2010) The integrated food security strategy of South Africa: an institutional analysis. Agrekon 49(3):316–337

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duncan S (2013) Food security in a post-fire disaster context: experiences of female-headed households in an informal settlement. Unpublished Honours Project, Department of Environmental and Geographical Science, University of Cape Town

    Google Scholar 

  • Ericksen PJ (2008) Conceptualizing food systems for global environmental change research. Glob Environ Chang 18:234–245

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Even-Zahav E, Kelly C (2016) Systematic review of the literature on ‘informal economy’ and ‘food security’: South Africa, 2009–2014, Working Paper 35. PLAAS/UWC and Centre of Excellence on Food Security, Cape Town, 31pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) (1996) Rome declaration on world food security. Available at http://www.fao.org/WFS/. Accessed 19 Jan 2014

  • Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), IFAD, UNICEF, WFP & WHO (2017) The state of food security and nutrition in the world 2017. FAO, Rome, 132pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) (2012) Republic of South Africa. Retail food sector. Retail sector grows despite downturn. USDA, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenberg S (2010) Contesting the food system in South Africa: issues and opportunities. Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies, Research Report, Cape Town, p 42, 37pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Grobler WCJ (2013) Food security and social grant recipients in a low income neighbourhood in South Africa. In: Proceedings of world business and social science research conference, 24–25 October 2013, Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square, Bangkok, Thailand

    Google Scholar 

  • Haysom G (2017) Climate change, food and the city: agency and urban scale food system networks. In: Thomas-Hope E (ed) Climate change and food security: Africa and the Caribbean. Routledge, London, pp 145–155

    Google Scholar 

  • Haysom G, Battersby J (2016) Why urban agriculture isn’t a panacea for Africa’s food crisis. The Conversation. Available at https://theconversation.com/why-urban-agriculture-isnt-a-panacea-for-africas-food-crisis-57680. Accessed 5 Sept 2017

  • Joubert L, Miller E (2012) The hungry season: feeding southern Africa’s cities. Picador Africa, Johannesburg, 344pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Kirsten J, Van Zyl J (1996) The contemporary agriculture policy environment: undoing the legacy of the past. In: van Zyl J, Kirsten J, Binswanger HP (eds) Agricultural land reform in south Africa. Oxford University Press, Cape Town, pp 199–235

    Google Scholar 

  • Labadarios D, Mchiza ZJ-R, Steyn NP, Gericke G, Maunder EMW, David YD, Parker W (2011) Food security in South Africa: a review of national surveys. Bull World Health Organ 89:891–899

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Louw A, Chikazunga D, Jordaan D, Bienabe E (2007) Restructuring food markets in South Africa: dynamics within the context of the tomato subsector, Agrifood Sector report. IIED, London, 79pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Maxwell D (1999) Urban food security in Sub-Saharan Africa. In: Koc M, MacRae R, Mougeot L, Welsh J (eds) For hunger-proof cities: sustainable urban food systems. IDRC, Ottawa, pp 26–37

    Google Scholar 

  • May J, Rogerson CM (1995) Poverty and sustainable cities in South Africa: the role of urban cultivation. Habitat Int 19(2):165–181

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • National Planning Commission (2013) National development plan 2030. Our future – make it work. Executive summary. National Planning Commission, Pretoria, 489pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Ndobo F, Sekhampu TJ (2013) Determinants of vulnerability to food insecurity in an African township: a gender analysis. Mediterr J Soc Sci 4(14):311–317

    Google Scholar 

  • Oldewage-Theron WH, Dicks EG, Napier CE (2006) Poverty, household food insecurity and nutrition: coping strategies in an informal settlement in the Vaal Triangle, South Africa. Public Health 120(9):795–804

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pietermaritzburg Agency for Community Social Action (PACSA) (2017) PACSA monthly food price barometer: AUGUST 2017. PASCA, Pietermaritzburg, 8pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Reardon T, Timmer PC, Berdegúe JA (2004) The rapid rise of supermarkets in developing countries: induced organizational, institutional, and technological change in agrifood systems. J Agric Dev Econ 1(2):168–183

    Google Scholar 

  • Republic of South Africa (RSA) (1996) Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. Government of South Africa, Pretoria, 182pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Republic of South Africa (RSA) (2010) Measureable performance and accountable delivery. Outcome 7: vibrant, equitable and sustainable rural communities and food security for all (draft). Government of South Africa, Pretoria, 4pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Republic of South Africa (RSA) (2014) The national policy on food and nutrition security for the Republic of South Africa, Government Gazette No. 37915. Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Pretoria 22 August 2014

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberts W (2001) The way to a city’s heart is through its stomach: putting food security on the urban planning menu. Crackerbarrel Philosophy Series, Toronto Food Policy Council, Toronto, 59pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogerson CM (2010) Resetting the policy agenda for urban agriculture in South Africa. J Publ Admin 45(2):373–383

    Google Scholar 

  • Rudolph M, Kroll F, Ruysenaar S, Dhlamini T (2012) The state of food insecurity in Johannesburg, Urban Food Security Series No 12. University of Cape Town/AFSUN, Kingston, 38pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruysenaar S (2013) Reconsidering the ‘Letsema Principle’ and the role of community gardens in food security: evidence from Gauteng, South Africa. Urban Forum 24(2):219–249

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Savy M, Martin-Prével Y, Sawadogo P, Kameli Y, Delpeuch F (2005) Use of variety/diversity scores for diet quality measurement: relation with nutritional status of women in a rural area in Burkina Faso. Eur J Clin Nutr 59:703–716

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shisana O, Labadarios D, Rehle T, Simbayi L, Zuma K, Dhansay A, Reddy P, Parker W, Hoosain E, Hongoro C, Mchiza Z, Steyn NP, Dwane N, Makoae M, Maluleke T, Ramlagan S, Zungu N, Evans MG, Jacobs L, Faber M, SANHANES-1 Team (2013) The South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, SANHANES-1. HSRC Press, Cape Town, 423pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Skinner C, Haysom G (2016) The informal sector’s role in food security: a missing link in policy debates? Working Paper 44, PLAAS/UWC, Cape Town, 25pp

    Google Scholar 

  • South African Cities Network (SACN) (2015) A study of current and future realities for urban food security in South Africa, Sustainable Cities Report. SACN, Braamfontein, 85pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Swindale A, Bilinsky P (2006) Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS) for measurement of household food access: indicator guide. Version 2. FANTA, Washington, DC, 15pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Thornton A (2008) Beyond the metropolis: small town case studies of urban and peri-urban agriculture in South Africa. Urban Forum 19(3):243–262

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Averbeke W (2007) Urban farming in the informal settlements of Atteridgeville, Pretoria, South Africa. Water SA 33(3):337–342

    Google Scholar 

  • Vearey J, Núñez L, Palmary I (2009) HIV, migration and urban food security: exploring the linkages. University of the Witwatersrand, Forced Migration Studies Programme, Johannesburg

    Google Scholar 

  • Webb NL (1996) Urban agriculture: advocacy and practice. A discursive study with particular reference to three Eastern Cape centres. PhD thesis, Rhodes University

    Google Scholar 

  • Webb NL (2000) Food-gardens and nutrition: three Southern African case studies. J Fam Ecol Consum Sci 28(1):62–67

    Google Scholar 

  • World Bank (2017) Urban population (% of total). Available at https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS?locations=ZA. Accessed 5 Sept 2017

  • Wrigley N (2002) Food deserts in British cities: policy context and research priorities. Urban Stud 39(11):2029–2040

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zager K (2011) Commutes, constraints, and food: the geography of choice. Unpublished Honours Dissertation, University of Cape Town, Cape Town

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa

    Jane Battersby & Gareth Haysom

Authors
  1. Jane Battersby
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Gareth Haysom
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gareth Haysom .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Geography, Archaeology & Environmental Studies, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

    Jasper Knight

  2. School of Tourism and Hospitality, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa

    Christian M. Rogerson

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Battersby, J., Haysom, G. (2019). How Food Secure Are South Africa’s Cities?. In: Knight, J., Rogerson, C. (eds) The Geography of South Africa . World Regional Geography Book Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-94974-1_18

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation