South Africa : Poor households in Mpumalanga receive food parcels

By Sydney Masinga

Amsterdam - The Departments of Health and Social Development have handed food parcels worth R1.8 million to nearly 2 000 poor households in Mpumalanga to ensure the families have a happier festive season.

Increasing food prices and the growing number of people suffering from malnutrition prompted the departments to intervene through its Siduduli'ndlala (fight hunger) programme.

"Our target is obviously the most vulnerable in our society who include families with little or no income at all, such as child-headed homes, families with orphans or many children, and people living with HIV/AIDS," said Department of Social Development spokesperson, Abie Ndlela, on Tuesday.

He said the Siduduli'ndlala programme recognises that, in terms of the Bill of Rights, everyone has the right of access to sufficient food and water.

Beneficiaries were mainly poor households that spend less than R300 per month on food and struggle to buy basic foodstuffs such as maize meal, samp, cake flour, cooking oil, sugar, rice, tea, coffee, baked beans, milk and vegetables.

MEC Fish Mahlalela helped to hand over the food parcels to needy residents of Sheepmore, Iswepe, Amsterdam, Mbuzini, Khomboso and KaHhoyi over the weekend.

He also handed over school uniforms to poor children in these areas. - BuaNews