Thamsanqa Ntuli, the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, described the launch of the Nourish to Flourish initiative as a "collective mission to combat hunger and malnutrition in our beloved KZN".
The project was recently launched by the Chinmaya Mission at the Chinmaya Annapoorna at the Rajput Hall in Chatsworth.
An industrial kitchen equipped with state-of-the-art cooking and packing facilities was built at the premises with a capacity to prepare meals for 10 000 people every day.
Ntuli said Chatsworth, which was known for its vibrant culture and dynamic community, was the perfect place to start the initiative.
"This project aligns with the provincial government’s programmes to foster food security, such as one home, one garden, one school, one garden, one church, one garden and many others," Ntuli had said.
"Nourish to Flourish is a step towards realising a vision where no child goes to bed hungry, where every citizen has access to nutritious food, and where our community thrives on the principles of good health and well-being.
“The project is designed to kill two birds with one stone. It has the dual aim of addressing immediate nutritional needs and establishing sustainable solutions for food security."
He said the harsh reality was that many in our province faced food insecurity daily.
"Malnutrition and hunger not only affect health but limit our children’s ability to learn, grow, and become the leaders they are meant to be. Malnutrition hampers our productivity and hinders our progress as a society. However, with every challenge lies an opportunity, an opportunity to change, to innovate, and to improve.
"The Nourish to Flourish project is our proactive response to these challenges. This initiative will deploy resources towards improving agricultural practices, enhancing food distribution networks, and educating our community about nutrition and sustainable food choices.
"As provincial government, we commit to work hand in hand with local farmers, businesses, and educators to ensure the benefits of this project are deep and far-reaching.
"We aim to establish community gardens and support urban agriculture, turning underutilised spaces into thriving hubs of food production. These gardens will not only yield crops but will also become classrooms for nutrition education and centres for community engagement.
"By empowering local communities to grow their own food, we are also fostering a sense of ownership and pride, ingredients as necessary for success as the soil and seeds themselves."
Ntuli added that nutritional programmes in schools would be a cornerstone of this initiative, ensuring that every child had access to the nutrients they needed for effective learning and development.
"Mindful of the budget constraints faced by many families, these programmes will alleviate the burden on parents and guardians, ensuring that economic hardship does not stand in the way of a child’s education and well-being.
"As we move forward, the role of technology and innovation in agriculture will also be crucial. As the effects of climate change are upon us, we are exploring partnerships with technological companies to introduce innovative solutions that can increase crop production, predict farming challenges, and streamline food distribution channels.
"This mixture of traditional farming techniques with modern technology symbolises the holistic approach we are taking: one that respects and learns from the past but is bold and innovative enough in applying the lessons of today for a better tomorrow."
Ntuli said the road ahead would require continued commitment and collaboration, and that communities should walk together with determination and hope, “fortified by the belief that in feeding others, we are nurturing the future”.
At the event, the Sivananda World Peace Foundation paid tribute to His Holiness Sri Swami Abhedananda, of the Chinmaya Mission of South Africa, for his selfless service to humanity in the country towards peace, culture, development and promoting oneness among citizens.
The preview recipients of the award included Nelson Mandela, the former president of India, Sri Abdul Kalam; the 14th Dalai Lama; Swami Sivananda of India; and the late King Zwelithini Goodwill KaBhekuZulu and Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi.