Multilevel government, municipalities and food security
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Date
2019
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
DST-NRF Centre of Excellence in Food Security, South Africa
Abstract
Realising the right to food in South Africa requires more than an increase in food production. Increasing access to food is equally important, so this contribution adopts a 'food systems approach'. It argues that food security is not just a national and/or provincial government
concern but that the Constitution demands of municipalities to contribute to realising the right to food. Against the backdrop of a general introduction into the division of responsibilities between national, provincial and local government, it deploys two arguments to make this assertion. The first is located in the jurisprudence of the South African Constitutional Court on socio-economic rights. The second is located in the division of powers between national, provincial and local government. This contribution explores various linkages between a municipality’s constitutional powers and food security. Specific emphasis is placed on the municipality’s responsibility to regulate trade and markets as well as its responsibility to conduct spatial planning and land use management.
Description
South Africa produces enough food yet has unacceptably high food insecurity levels. Food security is as much about access and quality as it is about production. South Africa’s food insecurity challenge is inextricably linked to the high levels of poverty and the gaping inequality.
Keywords
Food security, Multilevel government, Right to food, Local government, Food-sensitive planning
Citation
De Visser, J. (April 2019). Multilevel Government, Municipalities and Food Security. Food Security SA Working Paper Series No. 005. DST-NRF Centre of Excellence in Food Security, South Africa.