Question NW3739 to the Minister of Basic Education
27 November 2023 - NW3739
Tito, Ms LF to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1) Whether she has been informed that more than 27 schools, including (a)(i) Thabakhubedu and (ii) Mothibedi Primary Schools and (b) Fawcett Mathebe Secondary School in the Sekhukhune region in Limpopo, are affected by the non-delivery of food for the school nutrition programme; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) what intervention measures have been taken to ensure that food is delivered on time in the specified areas?
Reply:
Response (1) No. The matter was not brought to the attention of the National Department, save for this enquiry in which the Limpopo Department of Education reveals the following:
- During the first week of October 2023, the circuit reported non-delivery of foodstuff to the district office. The service provider was immediately contacted about the situation, which led to non-feeding. The service provider informed the district about the circumstance which led to non-delivery, amongst others were the allegations that his delivery trucks were hijacked on the way to schools full of foodstuff.
Response (2)
- The breach of the service level agreement was addressed with the Director of the company; and in the second week after five days of non-delivery, food-stuff was delivered to schools.
- Currently, there is a provision of foodstuff. The DBE has confirmed with School Principals. At Fawcett Mathebe Secondary, there has reportedly never been non-feeding since April 2023; Thabakhubedu experienced non-feeding for two weeks; however, feeding has resumed since Monday, 06 November; at Mothibedi, non-feeding for 2 weeks has been resolved, as feeding resumed on 06 November.