Statement by Michele Clarke MP – DA Spokesperson on Health:
The Democratic Alliance (DA) is calling for urgent national intervention as newly released parliamentary replies confirm that child malnutrition in South Africa continues to claim hundreds of young lives each year.
In answer to a written parliamentary question by the DA [RNW6755], Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi revealed that between May and September 2025, 92 and 206 children under 5 years died in public hospitals with moderate MAM) and severe acute malnutrition (SAM) as an underlying condition, respectively.
During the same period, 1,776 and 2,944 children under 5 years old were admitted to public hospitals with MAM and SAM.
These numbers follow earlier findings that revealed that between January and April 2025, 155 children under the age of five died in public hospitals with MAM and SAM as an underlying condition and 4 759 children were admitted to public hospitals with moderate or severe acute malnutrition.
Another PQ [RNW6979] revealed that 19 186 and 5 810 children under 5 years received treatment for MAM and SAM, respectively at public health clinics, while 30 390 children under 5 years (new cases) received food supplementation.
These numbers highlight a system overwhelmed by preventable hunger and poor early childhood nutrition.
To address this crisis, the DA is finalising the Feed the Nation Private Members’ Bill, which aims to bolster the fight against malnutrition by making it easier for supermarkets and consumers to donate unsold edible food to distribution organisations and creating processes for this to be done. The Bill proposes clear processes to ensure food safety, accountability, and efficient delivery, allowing edible food that would otherwise be discarded to reach families in need.
No child in South Africa should die of hunger. Malnutrition is both preventable and treatable, and its persistence reflects a failure of governance, coordination, and political will. The DA will continue to fight for the adoption of practical, life-saving reforms and for the protection of every child’s right to nutrition, dignity, and survival.