ABSTRACT

The stories of poverty and food insecurity in South Africa are situated within the history of the country, and this chapter concisely delineates this history. The historical, political, socioeconomic and cultural frameworks of South Africa, and the evolution of the politics, societal dynamics, economy and culture in the Twentieth and Twenty First centuries are described to situate the importance of people’s stories. Particular focus is given to understanding the racial dynamics between the White and the Non-White populations since the very beginning of colonization, leading to the policies of the apartheid era. Thereafter, the social policies after apartheid, with a focus on the national food programs established from 1994 onwards are described, together with the history of the Free State Province, as well as the evolution of the food security and sustainability policies in the province. Some of these programs are the national Integrated Food Security Strategy (IFSS), the Strategic Development Plans, the food security mandates of the multiple government departments, the Food and Nutrition Policy and the resulting intervention, the Fetsa Tlala Integrated Food Production Initiative and ReKgaba Ka Diratswana.