Johannesburg – The Tiger Brands Foundation has reached a milestone: 15 years of delivering daily nutritious in-school breakfasts to some of South Africa’s most vulnerable learners.
The Department of Basic Education’s latest statistical publications show that this year, 2026, about 8.2 million children are enrolled in South Africa’s public (state) primary schools, covering Grades 1–7.
Across South Africa, too many learners arrive at school unable to concentrate, participate or stay the full day because they have not eaten.
This is why the issue extends beyond the classroom and into child development and future opportunity.
Childhood food insecurity also has long-term consequences, affecting physical development, cognitive growth and future employability.
Commenting on the matter on Friday, 17 July 2026, Tiger Brands Foundation states that hunger is not only a food issue; it is an education, development and social justice issue.
Research from the Department of Basic Education and the National School Nutrition Programme consistently shows that hunger undermines attendance, focus and academic performance.
“We often talk about hunger as if it is only about an empty stomach,” said Programme Lead at the Tiger Brands Foundation, Kefiloe Mokoena.
“But in a classroom, hunger shows up as a child who cannot read, cannot focus, or cannot stay engaged.
“It is an education challenge as much as a social one.”
Emergency food assistance plays a vital role during crises – from natural disasters to economic shocks.
But relief alone cannot solve hunger. It is, by design, short-term and reactive.
“Food hampers help families survive difficult moments, but they cannot replace the stability and dignity that structured school nutrition provides,” said Mokoena.
“A child needs to know that every day, without fail, there will be a meal waiting for them at school.”
Long-term school nutrition programmes offer consistency, predictability and a system that supports learning.
They are not charity interventions; they are essential components of a functioning education system.
Evidence from UNICEF, the World Food Programme and South African food security studies reflects that good nutrition improves concentration, academic performance and long-term economic participation.
Well-nourished learners are more likely to stay in school, complete their education and access future opportunities.
“When we feed a learner, we are not incurring a cost; we are making an investment,” said Mokoena.
“Nutrition today becomes employability tomorrow.”
School nutrition programmes, therefore, contribute not only to individual well-being but to national development.
A healthier, better-educated generation strengthens the workforce, reduces inequality and supports economic growth.
Over the past decade and a half, the Tiger Brands Foundation has learned that impact depends on three factors: consistency, quality, and partnership.
“The meal must arrive every day, on time, prepared safely and served with dignity,” said Mokoena.
“That reliability builds trust with learners, parents and with schools.”
Partnerships have been central to this success.
Collaboration with government, civil society, local suppliers and school communities has enabled the Tiger Brands Foundation to scale its model while maintaining quality.
The NSNP remains a critical anchor, and Tiger Brands Foundation’s work complements and strengthens this national effort.
Key lessons include the importance of local procurement, strong monitoring & evaluation systems and continuous training for food handlers.
These elements ensure that nutrition programmes remain resilient, even in challenging environments.
South Africa faces rising food prices, climate-related shocks and deepening inequality, which threaten household food security.
Strengthening school nutrition systems is therefore more urgent than ever.
Future progress will depend on collaboration.
The government cannot do it alone, nor can NGOs or the private sector.
A coordinated, multi-stakeholder approach is essential.
After 15 years of impact, it is clear that sustainable school nutrition is one of the most powerful tools South Africa has to break cycles of hunger, improve education outcomes and build a more equitable society.
The Tiger Brands Foundation called on government, civil society and corporate partners to deepen their commitment to long-term nutrition solutions.
Hunger cannot be solved by relief alone. It requires systems, investment, and shared responsibility.
