ISSN 1811-704X

THE RIGHT TO FOOD

5th Economic and Social Rights Report Series2002/2003 Financial Year

South African Human Rights Commission

21 June 2004

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PREFACE

In this 10th year of our young but thriving democracy, we are all engaged in some way orthe other, in critically reflecting on the achievements we have secured over the pastyears as well as the unfinished work that lies ahead. In the context of the various rightsguaranteed by our Constitution, they seek in their totality to ensure that the individualand the society are able to develop to their full potential and indeed that human rightsbecomes a central feature of our society. In this regard we have made much progress,and in the main, few argue against the notion that civil and politcial rights are wellsecured both in law and in practise.

However, the challenge that is situated at the heart of our Constitutional contract is howwe advance social and economic rights and in so doing ensure that we advance theinterests of the poor and those many who are still to enjoy the full benefits of ourdemocracy. The inclusion of social and economic rights in the Bill of Rights was a cleararticulation that democracy was as much about the right to vote, and of free expressionand of association as it was about the right to shelter, the right to food, the right tohealth care, the right to social security, the right to education and the right to a cleanand healthy environment.

The Constitution has tasked the Commission with a specific mandate to advance socialand economic rights. In particular, section 184(3) requires that: Each year the HumanRights Commission must require relevant organs of state to provide the Commissionwith information on the measures that they have taken towards the realisation of therights in the Bill of Rights, concerning housing, health care, food, water, social security,education and the environment.

A healthy and robust debate exists around these measures that the Constitution requiresthe State to take. In addition, the human rights discourse sees considerable contestationaround issues such as the nature and scope of the right, the adequacy or otherwise of themeasures taken and the meaning of the phrase progressive realisation of rights. Theseare difficult issues and it is not always possible, nor may one say desirable, to alwayshave consenus on them. In some instances the Courts have had to rule on them. We seethis Report, however, not only as a contribution to those debates but also as a tool thatcan assist Government, Parliament and civil society in developing a criticalunderstanding about social and economic rights and their implementation.

The modus operandi of the Commission in discharging its constitiutional mandate tomonitor and assess the observance of economic and social rights has in the mainfocussed on requiring organs of state to report to us on measures they have taken. Thiscontinues to pose several challenges, namely: to ensure that organs of State submit tothe Commission reports that are timeous, accurate and of good quality . We are pleasedthat good progress has been made on this front over the past year and the process ofpresenting draft reports to organs of state and civil society for comment has been mostvaluable to the Commission in finalising this report .

The launch of the 4th Economic and Social Rights report in April 2003 generatedconsiderable interest and much debate and discussion on the Report ensued. We wereinvited by numerous parliamentary portfolio commiteees from the National Assemblyand National Council of Provinces to present the Report. We certainly found the

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engagement with Parliament a very useful and mutually rewarding exercise. It providedthe Commission with a unique opportunity to share its thinking and vision around itswork with Parliament while it enables us to better understand Parliaments expectationof the Report and its use to them as a tool in their work. There have been numerousvaluable recommendations that have emerged from our presentations to Parliamentwhich we are committed to giving effect to from our side.

So as we commence the beginning of the 2nd decade of our democracy the delivery ofsocial and economic rights become crucial to the ongoing success of our nation and theentrenchment of a culture of human rights. It is certainly our hope, and the intention ofthis Report, to contribute to ensuring that the promise and the vision underpinning ourConstitution is shared and enjoyed by all in our country.

Jody Kollapen

Chairperson - South African Human Rights Commission

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF TABLES........................................................................................................................................vi

LIST OF FIGURES...................................................................................................................................... vi

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.........................................................................................................................vii

INTRODUCTORY SECTION...................................................................................................................viii

ACRONYMS............................................................................................................................................ xxvi

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - THE RIGHT TO FOOD.................................................................................1

1 INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................................................... 6

1.1 CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS.................................................................................................61.2 RELEVANT CASE LAW..................................................................................................................81.3 INTERNATIONAL INSTRUMENTS.............................................................................................. 8

2 PROGRESS IN THE REALISATION OF THE RIGHT ........................................................................11

2.1 NEW POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES........................................................................................112.1.1 National Government...............................................................................................................11

2.1.1.1 Integrated Food Security Strategy for South Africa........................................................112.1.1.2 Integrated Management of Agricultural Water Use........................................................132.1.1.3 Integrated Food Security and Nutrition Programme.......................................................162.1.1.4 Social Security Nets and Food Emergency Measures.....................................................162.1.1.5 Improving Nutrition and Food Safety............................................................................. 162.1.1.6 Food Production and Trading Measures.........................................................................172.1.1.7 Income Generation and Job Creation..............................................................................202.1.1.8 Food Security and Information Management System..................................................... 20

2.1.2 Provincial Government............................................................................................................202.1.2.1 Improving Nutrition and Food Safety............................................................................. 202.1.2.2 Food Production and Trading Measures.........................................................................22

2.2 NEW LEGISLATIVE DEVELOPMENTS..................................................................................... 222.2.1 National Government...............................................................................................................22

2.2.1.1 Improving Nutrition and Food Safety............................................................................. 222.2.1.2 Food Production and Trading......................................................................................... 242.2.1.3 Social Security Nets........................................................................................................ 26

2.2.2 Provincial Government............................................................................................................262.2.2.1 Improving Nutrition and Food Safety............................................................................. 262.2.2.2 Food Production and Trade............................................................................................ 27

2.3 PROGRESS IN IMPLEMENTING ONGOING PROGRAMMES................................................ 272.3.1 Improving Nutrition and Food Safety......................................................................................27

2.3.1.1 Integrated Nutrition Programme..................................................................................... 272.3.1.2 Primary School Nutrition Programme............................................................................ 282.3.1.3 Community Based Nutrition Programme........................................................................312.3.1.4 Nutrition Interventions at Health Facilities - Child Malnutrition....................................312.3.1.5 Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative....................................................................................362.3.1.6 Nutritional Supplementation for People Living with TB and/or HIV/AIDS.................. 362.3.1.7 Food safety..........