SAFM Interview: Breaking the grip of gender-based violence in South Africa
The scourge of gender-based violence (GBV) in South Africa is a national crisis. It has been designated as a national disaster, with some of the highest rates in the world for violence against women and children. This pervasive issue is deeply rooted in systemic inequalities, a history of violence, and patriarchal social norms. Kgatlhiso Mangwale, […]
PowerFM Interview: You can’t drink your way into manhood
Kwanda Ndoda, one of the co-authors of the recent Sowetan op-ed You won’t find manhood at the bottom of a bottle, joined PowerFM to discuss how alcohol companies are increasingly using Xhosa initiation ceremonies as marketing spaces for hard liquor — a trend he argues undermines the core values of uLwaluko and heightens risks for […]
Op-ed: You won’t find manhood at the bottom of a bottle
Every June and December, Xhosa boys who have come of age leave their homes for initiation school. This is a rite of passage to manhood in Xhosa culture. It’s meant to teach self-control, discipline, humility, accountability and respect — principles embedded in culture. But an insidious trend is threatening these teachings — alcohol companies are […]
eNCA Interview: Stunting in South Africa – A preventable crisis still missing a national plan
DGMT CEO Dr David Harrison speaks with eNCA about South Africa’s ongoing child malnutrition crisis, where one in four children under five is affected by stunting caused by chronic undernutrition. Following last week’s parliamentary debate on the country’s failure to effectively protect children from hunger, he outlines why stunting is entirely preventable, which interventions offer […]
Umhlobo Wenene Interview: South Africa’s child stunting crisis is preventable
One in four children under five in South Africa suffers from stunting. DGMT and Grow Great, along with other non-governmental organisations, have called for the South African government to approve and implement a Maternal Support Grant (MSG). Last week, members of a Parliamentary Committee held a debate calling for urgent action to end South Africa’s […]
SAFM Interview: Chronic malnutrition continues unchecked, even though we know what works
South Africa continues to grapple with high levels of child malnutrition and stunting — an entirely preventable crisis, yet fuelled by the absence of a clear national plan. DGMT CEO David Harrison explains what stunting is, why it persists, and what it will take to protect children on the brink of acute malnutrition. Listen below.
SAFM Interview: With no clear roadmap to end malnutrition, why proven interventions remain underused
South Africa continues to grapple with high levels of child malnutrition and stunting — an entirely preventable crisis, yet fuelled by the absence of a clear national plan. In this interview, Liezel Engelbrecht, Nutrition Strategy Lead for the Hold My Hand Accelerator at DGMT, explains what stunting is, why it persists, and what it will […]
702 Interview: Without national leadership, child stunting continues — despite available solutions
John Perlman chats with David Harrison, DGMT CEO, to discuss why stunting is entirely preventable, which interventions would work, and the immediate steps needed to protect children on the brink of acute malnutrition. Listen below. This interview was rebroadcast on Cape Talk. Listen here.
RSG Interview: Despite the lack of a clear national plan to combat child stunting, solutions do exist
South Africa lacks a clear, national plan to combat child stunting, which is caused by chronic malnutrition. On Friday, 28 November 2025, Parliament debated how effectively our country is protecting children from hunger and malnutrition, with MPs scrutinising past failures in coordinating and implementing interventions. Gustav Greyling talks to Liezel Engelbrecht, Nutrition Strategy Lead for […]
African Farming Article: Child stunting a human tragedy and economic burden – SA needs bold leadership to stop it
DGMT is calling for the appointment of a national “nutrition czar”, a champion empowered to drive a unified, cross-departmental strategy anchored on three pillars: making protein-rich staple foods more affordable, reducing low birth weight deliveries, and supporting households and smallholder farmers to grow more fresh food. According to DGMT, a quarter of South Africa’s children […]