This Mandela Day, Coronation employees joined FoodForward SA's annual food packing event, continuing the company's support for the organisation. The scale of the initiative is significant: last year alone, volunteers packed 200 tonnes of food, helping provide more than 880,000 meals to vulnerable communities across South Africa.
"There are many worthy causes to support on Mandela Day. We chose FoodForward SA because of the scale of its reach and the work it does to improve food security across South Africa. We've supported the organisation since 2021, and this year's volunteer initiative is another opportunity for our people to contribute to that work," says Wisahl Ganief, group head of marketing at Coronation.
FoodForward SA's latest State of Household Food Insecurity Report found that food insecurity has risen sharply over the past five years, driven by rising living costs, unemployment and inequality. At its peak, an estimated eight million South Africans experienced severe food insecurity.
For Coronation, the findings reinforce the importance of supporting organisations working to alleviate hunger alongside broader investments in education and youth development. The company's community investment programme includes initiatives focused on early childhood development, literacy, teacher development, consumer financial education and community food gardens, recognising the close links between nutrition, education and opportunity.
"FoodForward SA is doing crucial work at a time when many South African households are under increasing pressure. We're proud to support their efforts and to spend our Mandela Day alongside an organisation making such a tangible contribution in communities across the country," Ganief concludes.
