The issue of food security has been critical in many parts of the world because it has a negative impact on the socio-psychological state of the student and consequently dropping the academic performance. Dr Lucia Meko from the University of Free State highlighted that the problem of food insecurity in South African universities is a reality hence Post-Doctoral Fellow, Stella Sabi and her colleagues conducted a review at the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal where they explored the effectiveness of the food hampers and meal vouchers offered to on-campus students. “We found that more than half of the students in the study sometimes went hungry and that less than 10% of food-insecure students, or those from poor households, had taken advantage of the program.
They also realized that one of the main problems facing food security intervention was the negative perceptions that students have about poverty and food insecurity. “This stigma led to negative attitudes about food aid: 43% of the students found it embarrassing to be food insecure. Food insecurity was perceived as a “shameful secret” among students and was closely associated with being “very poor”. As a result, nearly 40% of food-insecure students showed reluctance to use or recommend the much-needed university food security interventions.
The most food-insecure students were sponsored by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and come from disadvantaged backgrounds” says Sabi. According to Former Minister of Higher Education and Training, Naledi Pandor said “students who are inadequately funded experience great challenges with regards to food security, suitable accommodation, and the ability to obtain textbooks and other resources. These tend to be poor black working-class students which means we need to develop models of funding and support that address their needs” Pandor said.
On the other hand, Masters student, Remoneilwe Mogatosi based at the University of the Western Cape pointed out that most of the students on NSFAS reported that despite having financial aid, this aid often came late in the year. “This left student vulnerable to food insecurity at the beginning of the year and once more at the beginning of the second semester says Mogatosi”. The South African Further Education and Training Student Association (SAFETSA) outlined some of the challenges facing technical and vocational education and training (TVET) college students. Often funds were disbursed late in the year, making it difficult for students to attend classes and afford transport costs in order to adhere to the 80% attendance requirement.
