By Maile Matsimela
South Africa’s food security remains a national concern. According to the recently released Food Security Report for 2019, 2022 and 2023 by Statistics South Africa, 3.7 million households face moderate to severe food insecurity, and 1.5 million experience severe hunger.
Alarmingly, agricultural households are among the hardest hit, says Tasneem Sulaiman-Bray, Corporate Affairs Director at KAL Group. Sulaiman-Bray quoted agricultural economist Wandile Sihlobo, who recently suggested food insecurity in South Africa stems more from lack of access than from food shortages or high prices and that addressing income poverty at the household level must be the centre of any strategy to address food insecurity.
Sulaiman-Bray, whose company is a unique South African agri, fuel and convenience speciality retailer listed on the JSE, says the fact that even farming households are going hungry highlights serious structural weaknesses in our country’s food system.
“Food security does not exist in isolation; it is linked to economic inclusion, education and environmental sustainability. That’s why targeted initiatives in this space are crucial, not only to alleviate hunger but to build stronger communities,” says Sulaiman-Bray. She adds that KAL Group’s commitment to food security is about building long-term community resilience.
KAL Group’s investment in the development of small-scale farmers is a key pillar of its food security strategy to grow emerging agri-entrepreneurs.
“Small-scale farmers are key to unlocking rural development and poverty alleviation, but often struggle to access markets, resources and training that help them thrive,” says Sulaiman-Bray. “By investing in their growth, we contribute to more sustainable local food systems and stronger rural economies.”
Through the KAL Academy, the Group provides technical training and agri-business skills. Since 2009, the Academy has trained 515 small-scale farmers, with R1.2 million invested in 2024 alone, and R12.4 million since inception. Additionally, 8 041 farmworkers have received AgriSETA accredited training since 2011.
A standout success is Wayne Mansfield, a Stellenbosch-based lemon producer and KAL Academy alumnus, who now serves on the Citrus Growers Association’s Transformation Development Chamber, a body focused on agricultural transformation.
KAL Group’s food security efforts also promote hunger relief. Through its Harvesting Hope programme, the Group leverages its AgriMark retail footprint to acquire and distribute surplus produce from small-scale farmers and commercial producers to non-profit organisations to feed vulnerable communities.
In partnership with OneFarm Share, KAL Group says the initiative has distributed 693 tons of fresh produce, created 2.7 million meals and rescued 587 tons of food from going to waste since 2023.
As part of its commitment to food security, KAL Group says it extends this focus internally by actively involving employees in aligned initiatives. “In collaboration with the food relief organisation, Rise Against Hunger, KAL employees have packed over 40 000 meals for early childhood development centres – enough to support 170 learners for a full year. This hands-on involvement reinforces the Group’s purpose-driven culture and strengthens employee connection to its long-term environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals.”
The group further states its focus is on ESG issues most material to the business and stakeholders and seeks to deliver on goals within the regions the Group operates in. This operational alignment strengthens KAL’s food security work, enabling the business to make meaningful contributions in the areas where it has both the capacity and responsibility to act.
“We aim to ensure interventions are aligned to our core business and operational requirements. Corporate responsibility teams collaborate with operations to ensure alignment, and when one hits this sweet spot, everyone stands a chance to benefit,” concludes Sulaiman-Bray.
