South Africa has enough food to last even beyond lockdown

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South Africa has enough food to last even beyond lockdown - Thoko Didiza

25 March 2020 7:51 AM

Following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s declaration of a nationwide lockdown from midnight on Thursday, Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Minister Thoko Didiza says there will be enough food during the lockdown and people shouldn't be panic buying.

Didiza on Tuesday she addressed an inter-ministerial briefing about the latest developments in the fight against COVID-19.

She tells Bongani Bingwa that South Africa has enough food to last throughout the lockdown as production lines are still continuing, farmers are still working.

The challenge with panic buying causes unnecessary stress in the retail industry because where a Makro or a Pick n Pay would have stocked goods that would last for a month, suddenly that stock is taken in a day, it causes some disruptions.
— Thoko Didiza, Minister - Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

Even with the lockdown, grocery shops and supermarkets will still be opened, she adds.

The supermarket in a mall will still be operating to allow consumers to go buy what they need.
— Thoko Didiza, Minister - Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

She says import and export business will continue throughout the lockdown.

In respect of the staples that the majority of South Africans eat, like maize and sorghum it is available. Wheat which we import, we still have enough. You will still find bread in the shops.
— Thoko Didiza, Minister - Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

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Written by: Matshepo Sehloho