Sandwich-A-Day initiative aids students

AN initiative to help feed students in the University of KwaZulu-Natal has been launched, working with the Students’ Representative Council. Running across all five campuses, The UKZN Food Security Programme (UKZN-FSP) aims to address student food insecurity through the Sandwich-A-Day initiative.

Further, the initiative also aims to provide 1 000 sandwiches per campus, with the exception of the medical school campus, which will receive 500 sandwiches due to its size. “This intervention, which was initiated by the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) and supported by the HIV and AIDS Programme and UKZN Foundation, has been successful in meeting daily targets. The sandwiches are prepared, packaged and distributed to students by SRC members, who have been actively involved in supporting the food security drive. They have mobilised SRC members, ad-hoc committees, clubs and societies to assist with meal preparations,” said the university.

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The manager of the HIV and AIDS Programme and Disability Support Unit, Amith Ramballie, has been involved in ensuring the delivery of food support services. The HIV and AIDS Programme has been volunteering in rolling out the UKZN-FSP for the past three years. He noted that the UKZN-FSP also acknowledges the impact of food insecurity on students’ well-being and academic success.

“Inflation and the state of the economy in South Africa have significant implications on food security, particularly among students. The rising cost of living has made it even more difficult for students who often have limited financial resources to afford nutritious meals regularly. The HIV and AIDS Programme also set aside some of its cost savings for this year to support the Sandwich-A-Day initiative,” said Ramballie.

SRC president Wandile Majozi said, “With a large number of students relying on financial aid, including those not funded by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), the programme in some way helps ease the stress of hunger.”

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The university further reported that the programme received generous support from students, staff, alumni, businesses and members of the public. “This funding was also instrumental in the roll-out of the Sandwich-A-Day programme. Looking ahead, the UKZN-FSP plans to institutionalise the programme and establish hot-meal kitchens before the end of the year,” they said.

Acting executive director of the UKZN Foundation Steve Camp said, “As an advocate for student health, I am really excited to see this SRC initiative come to fruition to assist students. To mitigate the adverse effects of the rising cost of living, inflation and economic challenges on food security for students, it is crucial to collaborate and implement targeted interventions.”

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