School Feeding Scheme / National School Nutrition Programme
By Thabo Mosia
Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, has halted the issuing of a R9.8 billion tender intended to centralise procurement for the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) under a single provider.
The NSNP, a programme designed to provide at least one nutritious meal a day to more than 9.6 million learners across South Africa, is currently managed by each province individually. The tender, which had recently closed for bidding, proposed a shift towards a centralised system, with a single provider responsible for managing the entire programme. This proposal, however, raised alarms among various stakeholders, including opposition parties and provincial administrators.
Concerns Over Centralisation and Corruption
Minister Gwarube’s decision to halt the tender process was influenced by multiple factors, chief among them being concerns raised by a whistleblower regarding the integrity of the procurement process. The whistleblower highlighted possible corruption linked to the tender, which was reportedly issued during a transitional period when the department had no permanent minister .
In a statement, Minister Gwarube expressed her reservations about the tender, stating, “I have raised some concerns about this, particularly focusing on the integrity of the procurement process for such a large expenditure and the capacity of any single service provider to reach more than 9 million learners across the country every day. Additionally, I need to guarantee access to school nutrition to millions of learners; high centralisation of this kind does introduce a high risk of this not being realised.”
The tender’s centralisation approach was seen by many as a potential risk to the successful implementation of the NSNP, especially considering the challenges already faced by some provinces in managing their own programmes. For instance, both the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal have previously struggled to consistently provide meals to learners, leaving thousands without food .
DA’s Support and Recommendations
The Democratic Alliance (DA), South Africa’s main opposition party, has welcomed Minister Gwarube’s decision. In a statement, Karabo Khakhau, the DA’s National Spokesperson, commended the Minister for taking swift action to prevent what could have been a disastrous centralisation effort. The DA has long argued that the centralisation of the NSNP could exacerbate existing issues rather than solve them. Instead, the party advocates for provinces to learn from those that have successfully managed their programmes and to hold accountable those that have failed .
“While it is clear that various provinces have been struggling to manage their NSNP programmes and provide learners with nutritious meals, centralisation is hardly the answer. Instead, the struggling provinces should learn from those provinces that successfully manage to provide nutritious meals,” Khakhau stated.
The DA also emphasised the importance of maintaining the integrity of the NSNP, as for many learners, the meals provided by the programme are the only ones they receive daily. With South Africa facing high rates of malnutrition and stunting, the successful and uninterrupted implementation of the NSNP is crucial .
Implications for the NSNP and Future Plans
Minister Gwarube’s decision to halt the tender process does not mean the end of her efforts to improve the NSNP. In her recent budget vote speech, she outlined a five-point plan to enhance the basic education system, which includes prioritising the safety and nutrition of learners. The Minister has also indicated that she will be conducting a thorough review of all existing programmes within the Department of Basic Education to ensure they meet their intended outcomes .
The R9.8 billion allocated to the NSNP for the 2024/25 financial year represents a 5.6% increase from the previous year, highlighting the government’s commitment to improving the programme. However, with the tender now halted, it remains to be seen how the funds will be utilised and what alternative strategies will be implemented to address the challenges faced by the NSNP.
Minister Gwarube has assured the public that her department is exploring various options to ensure that learners do not go hungry. One such consideration is to decentralise further, allowing provinces more autonomy while also providing them with the necessary support and oversight to prevent any mismanagement .
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