Student hunger a hidden crisis at universities, Human Rights Commission hears

The South African Human Rights Commission is holding hearings into food systems in South Africa. Archive photo of University of Cape Town: Ashraf Hendricks

Student hunger is a hidden crisis threatening higher education. This is what Nthuseng Mokoena, a University of Pretoria (UP) student and volunteer for the Student Hunger Hearings Task Force told the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) on Thursday. It was the first day of hearings into food systems in South Africa, held at the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg.

“Food is not a privilege; it is a constitutional right,” said Mokoena. Yet, food insecurity is widespread.

Mokoena cited a 2021 UWC study that found 66% of students were food insecure, and a study at the University of the Free State reported 65%.

But the issue is underreported due to stigma.

“Hunger carries a deep sense of shame, and many students feel uncomfortable disclosing their financial struggles,” Oscar Sithole, a doctoral student at the UP, said in a written submission to the SAHRC.

He wrote that Wits University supplies monthly food packs to around 2,500 students. The University of Johannesburg offers 7,000 meals weekly. UWC serves breakfast to hundreds of students twice a week. The University of Cape Town distributes 600 lunches daily. The University of the Free State offers a modest allowance and daily access to one balanced meal.

However, such initiatives are not sustainable, especially at cash-strapped universities, according to Sithole.

But Mokoena said schools ensured that children did not go hungry and universities should do likewise.

While at school, many students relied on the Child Support Grant and the National School Nutrition Programme, but both schemes fell away when they reached university.

Mokoena noted that although the National Student Financial Aid Scheme offers food vouchers, its payments are often late and the amount too small to last the entire month.

“Students face rising food prices, accommodation costs and expensive campus food options.

“As a result, many survive on extremely limited or nutritionally poor diets. This affects concentration, academic performance, mental health and in some cases, contributes to higher dropout rates,” said Mokoena.

Mokoena recommended holding hearings at universities to gather evidence.

“Bringing visibility to this crisis is the first step towards meaningful policy change,” said Mokoena.

Evidence was also led about recommendations from hearings held at UWC. These included food gardens on campus providing healthy, fresh food; on-campus dining halls that provide subsidised dietitian-certified meals; and establishing a nutrition framework to regulate the food sold on campus.

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