'In South Africa right now children are starving, eating wild plants to survive'
The lockdown has pulverised South Africa’s brittle economy, causing a hunger epidemic of unprecedented scale in the Continent’s breadbasket.
As the days, weeks and months have passed, there’s no clear strategy to alleviate the carnage – the chasm between the rich and poor keeps on widening.
One of the most tragic effects of the lockdown has been the increase in child hunger – with effects that may last for a lifetime.
Researchers are finding that parents are trying desperately to – when they can - shield their children from hunger by going hungry themselves.
Others are feeding their children wild plants to survive.
“My children will tell you the taste of every plant in this area, as for the last three months I have been feeding them these plants,” a desperate mother told Gift of the Givers.

Related articles:
“It is the worst amount of hunger in the 28 years of the Gift of the Givers,” says the NGO’s Dr Imtiaz Sooliman.
“The public floods us with calls asking for help,” he said.
“People cry over the phone.”
“Our economy cannot sustain life,” says Professor Ruth Hall from the Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies at the University of the Western Cape.
“It cannot ensure that people have access to food.”
Read: Covid-19: Children eat wild plants to survive as hunger explodes – GroundUp
Is the government underestimating the plight of hungry children during this pandemic?
Kieno Kammies interviewed journalist Mandy Wiener.
“Government is failing its hungry children spectacularly,” says Wiener.
“A more undignified scenario than starvation of a child is unimaginable.
“Hungry children cannot learn; they cannot advance, and the repercussions are ongoing and long term.”
Read: The desperate hunger of children should be the barometer of a failing government - Mandy Wiener
Children are eating wild plants to survive! … Half of all households ran out of money to buy food in April… Adults are shielding children from hunger. So many children are perpetually hungry…
Mandy Wiener, presenter - The Midday Report
It’s astonishing that the government opposed the court action [to force them to feed children] … That the judge has to order the Minister to implement this [feeding] program…
Mandy Wiener, presenter - The Midday Report
You can’t discuss whether or not schools will be shut down… without discussing how children will be neglected at the same time…
Mandy Wiener, presenter - The Midday Report
Children are, literally, starving. That should be the barometer [by which to measure the government] … We are fortunate in South Africa that we have an active civil society. When there’s a leadership vacuum, it forces the government to lead… Benevolent South Africans making sure that other people are fed.
Mandy Wiener, presenter - The Midday Report
It’s real… We need to appreciate how bad the situation is…
Mandy Wiener, presenter - The Midday Report
Listen to the interview in the audio below.
More from Covid-19 coronavirus explained

10 countries that lead the world in vaccinating their people against Covid-19
Only Israel and the UAE are further along than the tiny African nation of Seychelles, ranked 178th by the size of its economy.
Read More
Exactly a year ago, Wuhan in China locked down – and the world changed, forever
On 23 January, the world looked on in disbelief, and much horror – still oblivious to what lies ahead – as Wuhan locked down.
Read More
Ginger and garlic prices are skyrocketing – and unlikely to ever be cheap again
"The market wasn't ready for what came our way; the rediscovery of their health benefits," says agri-economist Dr Kobus Laubscher.
Read More
Minister Jackson Mthembu passes away from Covid-19
Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu died on Thursday from complications related to Covid-19, announced President Ramaphosa.
Read More
Hire unemployed South African doctors of all races, not Cubans – Herman Mashaba
"People are dying," says Mashaba. "They don’t care who gives them service, whether you’re black or white. Employ our people!"
Read More
'W Cape can legally procure Covid-19 vaccines. Will share with rest of SA'
"It is too risky to rely on one supply from national government," says Premier Alan Winde. "We need 4.6m doses for the province."
Read More
Pfizer tried for months to engage with SA to provide vaccines – verified leak
Pfizer unsuccessfully tried for months to open negotiations with SA to provide its Covid-19 vaccine, says Kyle Cowan (News24).
Read More
UK Covid-19 death rate now worst in the world: 'Why? What are we doing wrong?'
"We’ve certainly become an outlier," laments UK correspondent Adam Gilchrist. "Another 1600 people died in 24 hours."
Read More
Award-winning CPT eatery offers booze-free pairing menu
Restaurants hit hard by lockdown have been forced to come up with ways to lure customers in without being able to serve alcohol.
Read More
Alcohol ban: Consol, hanging by a thread, burns through millions to stay alive
It cannot stop its furnaces, so it must keep them going. Bruce Whitfield interviews Mike Arnold, CEO at Consol Glass.
Read More