The Eastern Cape is experiencing significant change as communities actively engage in efforts to tackle hunger, joblessness, and poor nutrition. Programmes like the provincial Ilima Lokulima scheme and partnerships with organisations such as EDF Power Solutions South Africa and Lima Rural Development Foundation are providing essential tools. These initiatives are revitalising farms and strengthening the food supply, particularly in rural areas and former homeland regions where food security and support are critical concerns.
Eastern Cape Food Security: More Food, More Hope!
The Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture launched a five-year plan, Ilima Lokulima, running from 2025 to 2030. This comprehensive project aims to ensure food security, create employment, and promote equitable development across the province. It encompasses various farming activities, including grains, vegetables, poultry, pigs, and apiculture. The initiative encourages the establishment of 20 to 100 gardens within a five-kilometre radius to boost food production. A key objective is to facilitate the storage, packaging, and sale of surplus food, contributing to provincial and national food supplies. In the 2025/26 financial year, the Department of Agriculture assisted over 33,000 families in growing their own food. For 2026/27, the plan is to support 35,000 families with a budget of R65 million.
Turning Small Farms into Sustainable Businesses
The Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency (ECRDA) is also implementing its 2025–2030 plan, focusing on large-scale projects to commercialise agriculture, stimulate rural economies, ensure food availability, and improve community livelihoods. This involves converting underutilised land into productive farms for grains, animal feed, and vegetables. The ECRDA also supports small farmers in fruit cultivation, forestry, and wood processing. Furthermore, the Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture collaborates with traditional leaders to combat poverty, revitalise agriculture, support farmers in marketing their produce, and encourage home gardening. The provision of machinery, such as tractors, further aids these efforts.
Working Together: Stronger Communities, Brighter Futures
A significant project is underway around the Wesley-Ciskei and Riverbank wind farms, funded by EDF Power Solutions South Africa and managed by the Lima Rural Development Foundation. This initiative enhances food production, supports small businesses, and creates employment in areas including Wesley, Hamburg, Dabane, Gcinisa, Bell, Bodium, and Peddie Extension. A recent assessment of 1,922 families in these communities identified 747 families requiring assistance and 455 experiencing food scarcity. Critically, 19 children suffering from severe malnutrition were identified and referred for medical attention. The presence of growing crops in these communities signifies their dedication, with wind turbines symbolising progress in the background.
Keitumetse Matseke, Head of Social Work at EDF Power Solutions South Africa, stated, “We are collaborating with Lima because both organisations believe in empowering communities to achieve self-sufficiency.” Matseke added that this partnership funds and delivers effective programmes that build livelihoods, strengthen food systems, and create a tangible impact for communities near their wind farms. Xolile Sibisi, Project Manager at the Lima Rural Development Foundation, emphasised the importance of these programmes. He noted, “Programmes for rural development are vital because they address areas with limited service access, high unemployment, and food insecurity.”
Facing Challenges, Building a Way Forward for Eastern Cape Food Security
The Eastern Cape faces considerable challenges, including widespread poverty, unemployment, and malnutrition. This results in significant household food insecurity, particularly in rural areas. Numerous studies and reports indicate that the province experiences the highest food shortage rates in South Africa, with approximately 12.35% of families lacking sufficient food, three times higher than in the Western Cape. Rural communities in South Africa, including the Eastern Cape, struggle with food and nutrition due to limited employment opportunities, unequal wealth distribution, and inadequate access to land and resources. Between March and September 2023, an alarming 447,000 people in the Eastern Cape lacked funds to purchase food. The Nelson Mandela Bay water crisis highlights the interconnectedness of water and food security. As of July 20, 2026, the metro’s water system was still recovering from pipeline failures and power outages, underscoring how a lack of clean water impacts agricultural capacity.
Despite these challenges, the provincial government is actively responding. An allocation of R1.83 billion for the 2025/26 school year has been made for the National School Nutrition Programme, providing healthy meals to over 1.5 million children in schools located in the poorest areas. The provincial government also plans to revitalise school food gardens and link them with vulnerable families to enhance household food security. Inyanda groups in the Eastern Cape have advocated for eco-friendly farming and supported small farmers, leading to the growth of community gardens and training in sustainable agricultural practices. These vibrant gardens are often visible in urban areas like Govan Mbeki Avenue, adding green spaces to the city.
Building Our Future: From Farms to Industry
Beyond agriculture, the Eastern Cape is a significant contributor to the automotive industry, producing cars and car parts. Major manufacturers like Isuzu and VW operate plants in Nelson Mandela Bay, creating thousands of direct and indirect jobs within the manufacturing sector and its supply chain. For example, a new R750-million metal stamping facility opened in Gqeberha in November 2025, demonstrating the growth of the manufacturing sector. This economic activity provides stable incomes for families, enabling them to afford food and education. A strong economy, whether driven by farming or manufacturing, is crucial in the fight against hunger and in building a better future for all residents in Buffalo City and beyond.
Community Voices: Hopes for Tomorrow
Despite ongoing progress, community members continue to advocate for increased government support to accelerate solutions for service delivery issues and ensure long-term food self-sufficiency. The Eastern Cape Department of Social Development’s 2025/2026 plan underscores its commitment to poverty reduction and addressing the high cost of living. The plan prioritises food security and equitable access to food, including the establishment of a Food Bank to provide immediate assistance to families facing hunger due to crises or disasters. These robust efforts demonstrate the province's dedication to empowering individuals and fostering sustainable agricultural development for improved livelihoods. Local initiatives and collaborative efforts are central to building a stronger Eastern Cape. Read about other community successes here.
