The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has begun the second phase of its National Investigative Hearing into South Africa's food systems, bringing together major retailers, food producers and government departments to examine the country's growing food insecurity.
The week-long hearings, taking place from 6 to 10 July 2026, follow the first phase held in March, during which the commission heard evidence from civil society organisations, government institutions and other stakeholders.
According to the SAHRC, one of the key issues that emerged from the initial hearings was the need to further investigate the structure of South Africa's food system, particularly the concentration of market power and the role of private-sector companies in determining food access, affordability and nutrition.
Representatives from leading retailers and food producers, including Woolworths, Shoprite, Pick n Pay, Massmart, SPAR, Food Lover's Market, RCL Foods, Premier Foods and Tiger Brands, are expected to participate in the hearings.
Several government departments will also present evidence, including the Departments of Land Reform and Rural Development, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, and Health.
The commission said the additional hearings are aimed at gathering evidence from key private-sector stakeholders across the food value chain, including input suppliers, agribusinesses, farmers, food processors, manufacturers, retailers, distributors and industry lobby groups.
It said their participation is essential to developing a comprehensive understanding of the structural, economic and policy factors that influence access to food in South Africa.
The investigation was launched in response to complaints received by the commission, as well as findings from its own monitoring, which highlighted increasing concerns over food insecurity and the inability of many South Africans to access adequate nutrition.
The SAHRC noted that while Section 27(1)(b) of the Constitution guarantees everyone the right to have access to sufficient food, millions of people in South Africa continue to experience hunger.
The commission expressed particular concern about the impact on children, saying many continue to suffer from malnutrition and stunted growth, while preventable hunger continues to claim lives despite South Africa having the agricultural capacity and food resources to feed its population.
The hearings are expected to help inform recommendations aimed at strengthening the country's food system and improving access to affordable, nutritious food for all South Africans.