World Food Day in South Africa: Hand in Hand for a Better Food and a Better Future
FAO and partners working together to advance inclusive, climate-resilient agrifood systems across the country
Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, South Africa, 16 October 2025 – Communities across South Africa joined hands today to mark World Food Day 2025 under the global theme “Hand in Hand for Better Food and a Better Future.” The national commemoration, hosted at the Lilian Ngoyi Community Centre in KwaZakhele, Eastern Cape, brought together government leaders, farmers, civil society, and international partners to reaffirm their collective commitment to building resilient and inclusive agrifood systems.
The event coincided with a milestone year, the 80th anniversary of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, both founded in 1945 with a shared vision: a world free from hunger.
Delivering the message of support, Ahmadu Babagana, FAO Representative in South Africa, highlighted that the day’s theme is more than a slogan, it is a call to action.
“The future of food depends on our ability to work together across borders, across sectors, and across generations,” Dr Babagana said. “It speaks to the heart of FAO’s mission and to the enduring spirit of South Africa’s resilience.”
The Representative commended the Eastern Cape Province for its commitment to advancing food security and sustainable livelihoods despite the multiple challenges it faces - from erratic rainfall and prolonged droughts to limited access to markets and infrastructure.
“Here in the Eastern Cape, we see not only vulnerability but also vitality. We see women leading cooperatives, youth building agribusinesses, and traditional leaders safeguarding natural resources. We see resilience in action,” he added.
Member of the Executive Council (MEC) Nonceba Kontsiwe delivered the keynote address, where she emphasised the importance of inter sectoral collaboration against malnutrition. “A day like this, commemorating World Food Day, is critical. It reinforces the need for an integrated government approach.” She further elaborated that “There is no denying that preventing malnutrition among children requires collective responsibility between government, civil society, the private sector, communities, and all partners.”
From Awareness to Transformation
World Food Day, established in 1980 to commemorate the founding of FAO, is observed annually on 16 October in more than 150 countries. Each year, the event raises awareness of the collective responsibility to end hunger and malnutrition, while promoting sustainable solutions that leave no one behind.
In South Africa, the commemoration is led by the Department of Agriculture in partnership with FAO. This year’s celebration aligns with two key milestones: South Africa’s G20 Presidency (2024–2025) and the ongoing national drive to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
As part of the observance, the Department of Agriculture announced the development of a World Food Day Five-Year Plan, aimed at supporting food-insecure provinces with targeted interventions — from household gardens and community nutrition projects to evidence-based food security monitoring.
The plan reflects FAO’s Hand-in-Hand Initiative, which accelerates inclusive agrifood transformation in regions where needs are greatest by fostering partnerships among governments, private sector, and civil society.
The national commemoration echoed the Government of South Africa’s strategic priorities: driving inclusive growth, reducing poverty, and strengthening food security. These priorities are central to both the National Food and Nutrition Security Plan (2024–2029) and the broader African Union Agenda 2063.
The day featured exhibitions from smallholder farmers, demonstrations on climate-smart agriculture, and a cultural showcase – the Love Afrika Food, Arts & Culture Show – celebrating food as identity, innovation, and empowerment. Communities benefited directly from the event through the distribution of food parcels, establishment of school and household gardens, and support for local agripreneurs and cooperatives — ensuring that the World Food Day legacy extends well beyond the celebrations.
As FAO and the United Nations mark 80 years of service, World Food Day 2025 stands as both a celebration and a reminder: hunger can only be defeated when societies move forward hand in hand.
“The future of food is not only about production,” Babagana reminded participants. “It is about dignity, equity, and sustainability — ensuring that every South African has access to safe, nutritious, and culturally meaningful food.”
From the Eastern Cape to the rest of the continent, the message resonates: when partnerships are strengthened and communities empowered, a better food future for all is within reach.
Relevant links:
https://www.world-food-forum.org/en, https://www.fao.org/world-food-day/en, https://www.fao.org/hand-in-hand/hih-investment-forum-2025/en
Written by: Luthando Kolwapi, FAO Resource Mobilization, Partnerships & Communications Consultant and Angel Alessandri, FAO Programme Support Specialist Outreach Advocacy
Written by
Luthando Kolwapi
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