In the wake of an ailing economy reeling from the long-term impacts of poor governance, corruption, inequality, mass unemployment and the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and resulting lockdowns, the recent spike in food and fuel prices occasioned by the Russian war on Ukraine is deepening a silent humanitarian crisis in SA.

Malnutrition and hunger are steadily rising. SA is a country where, according to the University of Johannesburg’s Centre for Social Development in Africa, 46% of children and adults in their homes go to bed hungry because they do not have money for food...