By Anita Dangazele
- More than 70 children in Eastern Cape have died of hunger this year, with officials warning the true number is likely even higher.
- The Human Rights Commission accuses the government of dragging its feet, saying the Eastern Cape is a ‘shameful symbol’ of national disaster.
Children are still dying of hunger in the Eastern Cape, even after the government promised to act.
By July this year, 70 children had died from severe hunger. Health officials admitted the real number could be higher.
In 2024, the province recorded 107 child deaths, the third highest in the country after KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo.
The worst-hit districts include Alfred Nzo, OR Tambo and Amathole. Only Joe Gqabi district had no child deaths.
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) says the crisis is unacceptable. It called in the social development, health, home affairs and premier’s departments to explain.
The commission said children were dying because government action was “slow, fragmented and not enough”.
Provincial health boss Dr Rolene Wagner said: “We want to find children before they become at risk … once they reach hospitals, it’s often too late.”
She said thousands of community workers were going into villages with non-profit groups to link children to care.
Social development said it was running support programmes and encouraging schools and homes to grow food gardens in hunger hotspots.
But SAHRC commissioner Philile Ntuli said the response was failing children. “Despite clear recommendations, action has been inadequate … children are still dying of hunger. The Eastern Cape stands as a shameful symbol of a national disaster.”
Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane admitted that the government had been too slow.
“I agree with you that we’re moving the needle but very sluggishly,” he said. “It’s not that nothing is happening, but we need a more united approach.”
Mabuyane said farming and food production must also be part of the fight against hunger. “If we work the land and invest more, we will see better results,” he told the commission.
Pictured above: SAHRC hears testimony from Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane on delayed action against child hunger in the province.
Image source: SA Human Rights Commission
