The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development joined the world in Commemoration of the World Food Day on Monday 19 October 2026 at Matimatolo's FNB Sports Ground, in uMvoti within in uMzinyathi District. 

 

The MEC said KZN is one of the leading provinces with the most hungry households. The General Household Survey shows food insecurity increased from 14.2% in 2021 to 15.5% in 2024, with severe hunger rising from 6.7% to 8.4%. uMzinyathi, Zululand, Harry Gwala and uMkhanyakude are hardest hit.

 

"South Africa has enough food in shops, but many families cannot afford it. We are here to bring hope and tools to fight hunger," said the MEC.

 

The MEC urged every household to have a food garden - maize, beans, spinach and at least one fruit tree - and announced continued support through 10 million seedlings per year, fruit trees, 15 goats and 1 buck programme, chickens, mushrooms and the One Home, One Garden programme."Food is not a privilege, it is a right," the MEC said.

 

The MEC also warned farmers of El Niño in the 2026/27 summer season, which will bring low rainfall, extreme heat, poor harvests, low dam levels and veld fires. Farmers in uMzinyathi, Amajuba, Zululand, uMkhanyakude, uThukela, uMgungundlovu and Harry Gwala are most at risk and must work with extension advisors.