“Food is about life, and life is important,” President Cyril Ramaphosa said Friday, calling for food to be recognized and protected as a fundamental human right.
Delivering the keynote at the 7th Social Justice Summit on October 17, 2025, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, Ramaphosa urged stronger action to address food insecurity and systemic inequality across the country.
“It is important for us to embrace the principle of food as a human right, a right that should never be diluted or revoked,” he said. “Our human rights must continue to protect the lives of everyone.”
The summit, hosted by Stellenbosch University’s Centre for Social Justice, convened policymakers, legislators, traditional leaders, civil society groups, academics and members of the judiciary under the theme: “Social Justice, Food Security and Peace: Pathways to Equality, Solidarity, Sustainability and Climate Resilience.”
This multi-stakeholder platform provided space for high-level dialogue on constitutional commitments, policy outcomes and the role of food justice as a catalyst for social cohesion, regional food security and global solidarity.
With South Africa currently chairing the G20, the summit also positioned the country’s leadership as key to advancing the African agenda and fostering global cooperation on social justice issues.
Participants emphasized the urgent need for inclusive public policy, legislative reform and stronger collaboration between government, civil society and the private sector to build climate resilience, support agricultural development and expand social protection systems.
Cape Town, South Africa (Bantu Gazette)
