The Hunger
Behind the Numbers
South Africa is one of the most unequal countries on earth. While food fills supermarket shelves, millions of children go to school — and to bed — hungry. These are not statistics. They are children.
Sources: UNICEF (2024), Global Hunger Index (2024), Statistics South Africa, UCT Children's Institute
Key Statistics at a Glance
Child Food Poverty by Province
The burden of child hunger is not evenly spread. Rural provinces like Limpopo and the Eastern Cape carry a disproportionate weight, while Gauteng — where Simple Help Foundation operates — still sees 14% of children in severe food poverty.
% of children experiencing severe food poverty per province · Source: UNICEF 2024 · Gauteng (our area) highlighted in teal
Child Hunger Is Rising Again
After years of slow progress, child hunger in South Africa reversed course after 2018. The COVID-19 pandemic, rising food prices, and unemployment drove the rate back up to 23% by 2024 — erasing a decade of gains.
The Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice & Dignity Group estimates the Child Support Grant falls 33% short of the Food Poverty Line — meaning even families receiving government support cannot afford adequate nutrition.
This is why Simple Help Foundation exists. We cannot wait for policy to catch up. Every day we delay, a child goes hungry.
% of children going hungry nationally · 2002–2024 · Source: UCT Children's Institute
Food Security Status of South African Children
Only 1 in 4 South African children is fully food secure. The remaining 76% experience some degree of food insecurity — from mild to severe.
- Severe food poverty
- Moderate food insecurity
- Mild food insecurity
- Food secure
The Physical Cost of Hunger
Hunger is not just an empty stomach. Chronic malnutrition causes permanent physical and cognitive damage. Nearly 1 in 4 South African children under 5 is stunted — meaning their brains and bodies will never fully develop to their potential.
Key malnutrition indicators · Source: Global Hunger Index 2024
Millions Living Below the Poverty Line
South Africa has three official poverty lines. At the most severe level — the Food Poverty Line — 13.8 million people cannot afford even a basic nutritious diet.
Source: Statistics South Africa · Data as of 2024
We Cannot Look Away.
So We Act.
Simple Help Foundation was born out of a refusal to accept these numbers as normal. We believe every child deserves to eat. We believe faith without action is empty. And we believe that ordinary people, acting together, can change these statistics — one meal at a time.
We have already fed nearly 98,000 people. Our goal is 180,000 by 2027, and 1 million by 2035. But we cannot do it without you.