Breastfeeding while hungry – Is enough being done to support mothers in the Free State?

Posted in: Child health, Free State, Healthcare system, Latest, Provinces

Earlier this month the world celebrated breastfeeding week. To improve infant nutrition by 2025, the United Nations set targets to eliminate malnutrition and increase breastfeeding rates to at least 50% – targets that South Africa also subscribes to. In South Africa, however, often mothers are poor, unemployed, and hungry – all factors impacting their ability to breastfeed and, ultimately, the nutrition their babies receive. As Women’s Month draws to a close, Refilwe Mochoari looked at the nuances of this challenge in the Free State, where mothers often face a litany of socio-economic challenges and asks how government can support these mothers better.

Breastfeeding while hungry – Is enough being done to support mothers in the Free State?

CSOs want disability grants reinstated

Posted in: Latest

The South African Social Security Agency’s decision to suspend temporary disability grants in December left over 210 000 beneficiaries without an income – including some DR TB patients who rely on this grant to stay on treatment. Elri Voigt investigates.

When kids go hungry: COVID-19 relief grant misses the mark for children

Posted in: Child health, Latest

Over 7 million caregivers and 13 million children have been plunged deeper into poverty as payouts of the R500 caregiver grant ended in October. While this top-up was discontinued, the COVID-19 Special Relief of Distress grant which reaches an estimated 6 million people was extended. In the final article of a six-part series on child hunger, Kathryn Cleary speaks to mothers, children and experts about the implications of these decisions about grants.

When kids go hungry: COVID-19 relief grant misses the mark for children

When kids go hungry: Fighting for solutions in the ECD sector

Posted in: Child health, Eastern Cape, Latest, Provinces

Early childhood development programmes have a huge role to play in the lives of young children, including in their nutrition. In the third part of a six-part series on child hunger, Kathryn Cleary investigates the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown on these programmes, and how some organisations are fighting for solutions.

When kids go hungry: Fighting for solutions in the ECD sector

Disability grant delays take heavy toll

Posted in: Latest

During the strictest phases of South Africa’s COVID-19 lockdown, the South African Social Security Agency effectively stopped accepting new disability grant applications. Elri Voigt explores what happened and speaks to two applicants on the impact the disruptions have had on their lives.

COVID-19: Staying safe on (and off) the streets

Posted in: Latest

Siyabonga Kamnqa visited shelters in Cape Town to chat to homeless people about their lives in the time of COVID-19 and under lockdown. He also asked government what they’ve done to assist and protect these vulnerable members of our society.

COVID-19: Staying safe on (and off) the streets

COVID-19: Solutions proposed as shocking new child hunger numbers revealed

Posted in: Child health, Latest

Findings from a large survey published today has revealed shocking statistics about the effects of South Africa’s COVID-19 lockdown on child and household hunger. Experts say children may be the pandemic’s greatest victims and the country’s progress towards ending hunger may have been reversed. Kathryn Cleary reports.

COVID-19: Solutions proposed as shocking new child hunger numbers revealed

COVID-19: What the pandemic is like for older persons living in poor communities

Posted in: Latest, Provinces, Western Cape

Already at an increased risk of serious COVID-19 illness, older persons in poor communities face an additional set of difficulties in staying safe and healthy. Siyabonga Kamnqa spoke to older people, experts, civil society organisations and government authorities on what can be done to protect older people.

COVID-19: What the pandemic is like for older persons living in poor communities

COVID-19: More government support needed for old age facilities – expert

Posted in: Latest

While COVID-19 infections and deaths are rising among those older than 60 years, residential care facilities battle to keep residents safe. Elri Voigt investigates how care facilities are responding, whether they are getting the support they need from government and if the data on the situation in care homes provides a reliable picture.

COVID-19: More government support needed for old age facilities – expert

COVID-19: As infections surge, how well are older persons in SA protected?

Posted in: Spotlight

A residential facility for older persons in the Western Cape this week recorded a COVID-19 related death, while a number of new infections were reported at another facility in the province. Elri Voigt asks whether everything is in place to protect our older persons from the expected surge in COVID-19 cases.

COVID-19: As infections surge, how well are older persons in SA protected?

COVID-19: Some homeless people choose streets over shelters

Posted in: Latest

As most people in South Africa prepare for another week in their homes under South Africa’s national COVID-19 lockdown, Amy Green spoke to some of Johannesburg’s many homeless persons about why they choose life on the street over government shelters.

COVID-19: Some homeless people choose streets over shelters

COVID-19: Giving meaning to “social solidarity” through mental health support

Posted in: Latest

People living with mental illness are among the most vulnerable people in society and face widespread stigma. In our response to COVID-19, we must be sensitive to the needs of this group of people, writes Julia Chaskalson.