Every child deserves the chance to grow, learn and thrive. Yet in South Africa, far too many children are being held back before they even reach school.
This Mandela Day, SA Harvest is calling on South Africans to help change that through its Start Strong campaign, which focuses on one of the most important periods in a child's life – the first 1,000 days, from conception to their second birthday.
Research shows that this window shapes everything that follows, influencing brain development, physical growth, immunity and long-term health. When children do not receive the nutrition and care they need during this critical period, the effects can last a lifetime.
A crisis that can't be ignored
Around one in four South African children under the age of five are stunted, meaning they are not growing as they should due to chronic undernutrition and deprivation. Some estimates suggest the true figure may be even higher.
Stunting is about far more than a child's height. It can permanently affect brain development, learning ability, immune function, school readiness and future earning potential. Once established, recovery becomes extremely difficult.
The challenge isn't food – it's access
South Africa produces enough food, but millions of families still struggle to access nutritious meals.
Food insecurity is driven by a combination of poverty, rising food costs, maternal health challenges, poor sanitation, infection and limited support for young mothers and caregivers.
That's why addressing hunger means more than simply providing food. It requires supporting families during the earliest and most important stage of a child's development.
What helps children start strong?
Giving children the best start begins with:
Good maternal nutrition and antenatal care.
Breastfeeding support.
Safe and nutritious complementary feeding.
Clean water, sanitation and infection prevention.
Growth monitoring, immunisation and community support.
These simple interventions can lead to healthier pregnancies, healthier birthweights, fewer infections and stronger brain development.
Pack a Bucket. Back a Beginning.
This Mandela Day, SA Harvest is inviting South Africans to make a lasting impact by supporting its "Pack a Bucket. Back a Beginning." campaign.
Each bucket provides practical nutrition support to mothers, babies and caregivers through trusted community networks, helping families during the first 1,000 days when it matters most.
It's a simple way to honour Nelson Mandela's legacy by investing in South Africa's future - one child, one family and one community at a time.
This Mandela Day, your 67 minutes can help give a child the strongest possible start in life. Because when children start strong, South Africa grows stronger too.
For more information or to become involved, click here
This Mandela Day, SA Harvest is calling on South Africans to help change that through its Start Strong campaign, which focuses on one of the most important periods in a child's life – the first 1,000 days, from conception to their second birthday.
Research shows that this window shapes everything that follows, influencing brain development, physical growth, immunity and long-term health. When children do not receive the nutrition and care they need during this critical period, the effects can last a lifetime.
A crisis that can't be ignored
Around one in four South African children under the age of five are stunted, meaning they are not growing as they should due to chronic undernutrition and deprivation. Some estimates suggest the true figure may be even higher.
Stunting is about far more than a child's height. It can permanently affect brain development, learning ability, immune function, school readiness and future earning potential. Once established, recovery becomes extremely difficult.
The challenge isn't food – it's access
South Africa produces enough food, but millions of families still struggle to access nutritious meals.
Food insecurity is driven by a combination of poverty, rising food costs, maternal health challenges, poor sanitation, infection and limited support for young mothers and caregivers.
That's why addressing hunger means more than simply providing food. It requires supporting families during the earliest and most important stage of a child's development.
What helps children start strong?
Giving children the best start begins with:
Good maternal nutrition and antenatal care.
Breastfeeding support.
Safe and nutritious complementary feeding.
Clean water, sanitation and infection prevention.
Growth monitoring, immunisation and community support.
These simple interventions can lead to healthier pregnancies, healthier birthweights, fewer infections and stronger brain development.
Pack a Bucket. Back a Beginning.
This Mandela Day, SA Harvest is inviting South Africans to make a lasting impact by supporting its "Pack a Bucket. Back a Beginning." campaign.
Each bucket provides practical nutrition support to mothers, babies and caregivers through trusted community networks, helping families during the first 1,000 days when it matters most.
It's a simple way to honour Nelson Mandela's legacy by investing in South Africa's future - one child, one family and one community at a time.
This Mandela Day, your 67 minutes can help give a child the strongest possible start in life. Because when children start strong, South Africa grows stronger too.
For more information or to become involved, click here