In his State of the Province Address on 27 February 2026, Western Cape Premier Alan Winde reaffirmed the province’s commitment to the Khulisa Care pilot. Khulisa Care (Khulisa meaning ‘to grow’ in isiXhosa) will continue in 2026 as part of the province’s sustained effort to tackle malnutrition and reduce child stunting. The ongoing commitment by the provincial government reflects decisive provincial action in support of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s strong stance on eradicating stunting by 2030, a goal that demands practical action at the provincial and national levels.
“Stunting is not just about a child being too short for their age. It is the result of chronic malnutrition, often beginning before birth. The first 1 000 days of life, from pregnancy to a child’s second birthday represents a critical window of opportunity. This period shapes brain development, immune strength and long-term learning,” explains Liezel Engelbrecht, Nutrition Lead for the Hold my Hand Accelerator, incubated at DGMT.
Khulisa Care was launched in 2025 by the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness, in partnership with DGMT and Shoprite. The pilot was rolled out in the Breede Valley, Khayelitsha and Mitchell’s Plain, targeting pregnant women who are underweight or at risk of delivering a low-birth-weight baby, as well as mothers of babies who are born under 2.5kg.
In his address, the premier noted that the programme provided monthly nutrition support to the target group of pregnant women and new mothers, alongside strengthened support from trained community health workers.
In his speech, the premier said: “When children begin life with strong foundations of nutrition, stimulation and care, they have a much better chance of succeeding at school and into adulthood”.
“Khulisa Care recognises that investing in early childhood is not only a health intervention, but also an intervention in enabling a child to develop the nutritional foundation they need to reach their full potential.”
Engelbrecht explains that stunted children are more likely to drop out of school and earn less because of impaired cognitive development and poorer educational attainment, leaving them at a higher risk of being trapped in a cycle of poverty and undernutrition that can persist across generations.
Khulisa Care brings together two forms of support that too often operate separately.
The first is direct nutrition support. Eligible mothers receive a R525 monthly voucher, loaded to their Shoprite Xtra Savings card, that is redeemable for a basket of 10 protein-rich and fortified foods. These foods include eggs, beans, lentils, long-life milk and peanut butter. The aim is to improve maternal nutrition during pregnancy and breastfeeding, when nutrition needs are higher.
The second is stronger primary healthcare support. Community health workers conduct regular visits, providing guidance on breastfeeding, maternal mental health, growth monitoring, immunisation adherence and navigating the health system. The support runs from pregnancy until a baby is six months old.
“This integrated approach is aimed at breaking the early cycle of child malnutrition. Global evidence shows that combining financial support with maternal care and nutrition counselling improves pregnancy outcomes. It has been linked to better dietary quality, increased antenatal care attendance, reductions in maternal anaemia, and decreased risk of low birth weight,” says Engelbrecht.
At its heart, Khulisa Care recognises that investing in early childhood is both a health and a development strategy. Strengthening maternal nutrition and early care is therefore not only about survival, but it is also about enabling children to develop the foundations they need to reach their full potential.
At the national level, the president’s commitment to end child stunting by 2030 sets a clear direction. Achieving this will depend on cost-effective interventions that translate ambition into delivery. Other interventions include the maternal support grant, multiple micronutrient supplementation, making protein-rich foods more affordable and strengthening alcohol policies, including introducing minimum unit pricing, to reduce drinking during pregnancy.
As Khulisa Care enters its second year, the opportunity to deepen learning, strengthen coordination and build the case for scale. If the country is serious about ending stunting by 2023, programmes like Khulisa Care will be essential.
Policy commitments are important, but it is through practical, coordinated delivery that those commitments begin to change lives.
