FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
23 July 2025
Al Jama-Ah Responds To Public Criticism Of Deputy Minister Hendricks’ Remarks On Hunger
Al Jama-ah has noted the public response to remarks made by our party leader and Deputy Minister of Social Development, Hon. Ganief Hendricks, during a recent sitting of Parliament. We wish to clarify the context and intention of his statements regarding hunger and food security in South Africa.
Deputy Minister Hendricks’ comments were made in reference to South Africa’s efforts to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of Zero Hunger. His reference to this goal was aimed at highlighting the critical role that social grants play in helping millions of South Africans access food and avoid extreme hunger.
The statement that “if social grants are used to buy food, then we are progressing toward zero hunger” was not a denial of the daily struggles faced by many South Africans. Instead, it was a reflection of the intended purpose and impact of social grants, which currently support over 27 million people. These grants are a vital safety net and remain central to government’s effort to combat poverty and hunger.
However, let us be clear: Al Jama-ah fully recognises that hunger is still a painful reality for far too many in our country. We share the frustration of those who feel the system is not doing enough. Social grants alone are not the solution, and our government must do more.
A Call for Collaborative Action
Al Jama-ah maintains that the fight against hunger cannot rest solely on national government. We firmly believe that all three spheres of government—local, provincial and national—must work together, alongside the private sector and civil society, to ensure that every citizen lives a life of dignity.
This belief is not new. It is reflected in the work our party has championed on the ground under the leadership of Hon. Hendricks, including:
- The Pietermaritzburg farm initiative, which provides food and farming opportunities to local communities;
- The fishing village project in the Eastern Cape, aimed at supporting small-scale fishers and community food production;
- The female empowerment programme on the Cape Flats, which supports women with skills development and income-generation opportunities.
These are examples of practical, community-driven interventions that go beyond talk and demonstrate our commitment to addressing hunger and poverty at grassroots level.
Setting the Record Straight
Al Jama-ah and Hon. Hendricks do not deny the existence of hunger. On the contrary, we are working daily to fight it. We support the work of NGOs, faith-based groups, feeding schemes and volunteers who provide food to those in need.
We acknowledge that the Deputy Minister’s comments may have been misunderstood or hurtful to some, and we regret any offence caused. However, it is important to engage with the full context of his message: that while progress has been made, the fight for food security is far from over.
Al Jama-ah remains committed to working with all partners to build a South Africa where no person goes to bed hungry, and where social development is not just a policy—but a lived reality.
Issued by Asghar Khan on behalf of Al Jama-ah
For Media Enquiries:
Nisa Hendricks
0826131917
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