By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube ordered a full-scale investigation into the rollout of the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP).
This follows reports of inadequate food supply to more than 5 000 schools across the province, affecting 2.4 million learners from impoverished homes.
According to the premier, she has directed the special advisor in the Office of the Premier advocate Linda Zama, together with the research and monitoring team, Operation Sukuma Sakhe teams, community development workers and ward committee members, to conduct an investigation and analysis of food distribution at participating schools in every ward.
The premier said the investigation would also establish the extent of interruptions and produce a comprehensive report on the status of the rollout and management of the food nutrition programme in the province.
“Our aim is to ensure that all 2.4 million learners in quintiles 1 to 3, including some quintile 4 and 5 schools, continue to be provided with balanced nutritious meals daily. The National School Nutrition Programme grant allocation for the 2023-’24 financial year amounts to R2.1 billion, which demonstrates our commitment as government to ensure that children in schools do not go hungry,” Dube-Ncube added.
“We need to understand the reasons for the glitches in the system so that necessary interventions are implemented with immediate effect to address the situation. There will be consequence management after the conclusion of all investigations where there is evidence of wrongdoing.”
The premier said she expected the investigation to be swift but thorough to ensure that no children were hungry while at school in the future.
Several schools from districts including uMgungundlovu, iLembe, Amajuba and King Cetshwayo were affected on Wednesday and Thursday last week.