Skip to main content

Agri SA and Shoprite Act For Hunger Relief

| Social Responsibility

In 2015, Agri SA established a Drought Disaster Relief Fund to aid the severe drought conditions which hit South Africa in the last two quarters of 2015 and during the first quarter of 2016. The fund has thus far provided immediate relief in the form of livestock feed and humanitarian aid such as food parcels and water to farming communities in distress.

Agri SA has partnered with Shoprite to bring relief to farming communities across the country which were mostly affected by the drought. 

Through its #ActForChange Fund, Shoprite customers have helped to raise over R200 0000 for drought relief efforts during March and April this year. The #ActForChange Fund was launched following requests by consumers who want to make a difference in communities affected by natural disasters such as the recent droughts, as well as in the communities experiencing serious challenges such as poverty and food scarcity. 

As part of on-going relief efforts, on 12 May 2016, Shoprite and Agri SA delivered food parcels to 150 impoverished farming families in the community of Jozini in the Umkhanyakude District in KwaZulu-Natal. Agri Roodeplaat and the Agri SA Hope Grass Project in collaboration with Kwanalu also distributed fodder to farmers in the Makhathini Flats Community. 

Phenias Gumede, Vice President of Agri SA presided over the handover ceremony which took place on Thursday in Jozini. Christo Van der Rheede, Deputy Executive Director of Agri SA and National Coordinator of the Drought Relief Action Plan describes the collaboration between Agri SA, Shoprite, Kwanalu and various other role-players to bring relief to drought stricken communities as a humbling experience. This according to an der Rheede does not just bring hope to many of the local people, but it bears testimony of a South African people that really care about each other.   

Pin It

Related Articles

By Kevin O’Brien, SPAR Group Sustainability and Risk Executive Water is the lifeblood of agriculture, a major socio-economic driver for billions of people, and integral to South Africa’s economy and food supply chain. With climate change accelerati…
Engen reaffirms its commitment to youth empowerment and skills development with the launch of the 2025 South Durban and Steelpoort intake for the Engen Global Citizen Development Programme (EGCDP). This initiative equips young South Africans with cr…
South Africa is a country plagued by poverty and hunger, with approximately 20 million people going to bed hungry every night. According to UNICEF, it is one of 20 nations globally that account for 65% of all children living in severe food poverty.
When disaster strikes, two types of people emerge: those who wait for help and those who take action.
Engen’s commitment to nurturing talent and fostering educational excellence has once again shone brightly, with the 2024 Engen Maths & Science School (EMSS) matric class achieving a record 98% overall pass rate.