There is enough food for all under the South African sun

South African’s have been urged to not flood the supermarkets to stockpile on food following the announcement that the country will be under a national lockdown from Friday Morning. 

Despite assurances by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday evening that all businesses that the supply of basic goods and the supply chains would not be disrupted due to the 21-day lockdown, some South Africans still rushed to supermarkets starting from the moment the stopped speaking. 

Ramaphosa’s announcement came shortly after confirmed cases of people with Covid-19 rose to 402, this number now sits at 554 and the number is expected to rise and possible slow down in the coming weeks as the impact of the lockdown takes hold. 

There’s enough food 

During this 21 days period, that’s expected to protect millions of South Africans from infection and thousands from possible death citizens will be expected to remain at home unless the provide essential health, security and financial and communication services.  The list of essential service providers also includes supermarkets, spaza shops and other basic good shops where people will have the freedom to go to during the lockdown period. 

In a briefing by the economic cluster ministers in the national command team, Minister of Agriculture Thiko Didiza and Trade and Industry Minister Thoko Didiza reiterated the message that there would be no food shortages and the only disruption that will be experienced would be due to shock purchases that are currently underway. 

Didiza stated categorically that all forms of agricultural food production will not be compromised including support functions such as veterinary and advisory services. 

“Export and imports of critical agricultural commodities and teh logistical measures will continue during the lockdown period to ensure that there is global and local food security,” said Didiza. 

“This is not limited to local retailers but to the entire food chain from farm-related operations, agro-processing and food manufacturing, logistics and wholesale and retail sector”. 

The department has also set aside R1.2 billion for a package that will be used to address the effects of Covid-19 and ensure sustainable food production after the pandemic has been contained. 

“The country has sufficient food supplies, panic buying will only cause disruption and inconvenience in the food system,” she said

Serious consequences for price hikes 

Didiza said South Africa was self-sufficient when it comes to food production and regular updates will be made on crop estimations to inform the public on the levels of supply as well as curb unnecessary price inflations

Food price monitoring will also be conducted on critical foods basket commodities and reports will be given to the nation on a regular basis. 

The pricing of basic foods, personal care, products and hygiene, and medical supply products will also be monitored closely by the Competition and Consumer Commissions. 

Patel said that the Consumer and Competition Commission’s are already investigating 11 firms that have been flagged by consumers for unjustifiably increasing prices on face masks and hand sanitisers. 

“More firms are now being investigated and prosecutions will follow,” said Patel. 

The possible sanction for a company that is found to be abusing the crisis for financial gain ranges from a penalty of R1 million, a fine of up to 10% of turnover to a year in jail.

More measures to assist the food sector include an R100 million from the Land Bank for farmers that are under distress.