The National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) Service Providers Association in KwaZulu-Natal is threatening to stop the service due to ongoing issues of non-payment by the Department of Education.
NSNP KZN spokesperson Thabang Mncwabe warned service providers may be unable to continue delivering food to schools in the province from Monday next week if payments are not received by Friday.
Mncwabe said some service providers had not been paid for three months and, as a result of these ongoing payment delays, many were now facing insurmountable debts with some even facing the repossession of their properties.
Mncwabe said they had hoped these issues would have been resolved after the recent budget in the provincial legislature, where an additional R19 million was allocated to the programme by finance MEC Francois Rodgers.
The NSNP Service Providers Association issued a statement expressing regret in informing parents, guardians, and the public of a looming crisis that could severely disrupt the delivery of meals to schools under the NSNP in KwaZulu-Natal.
“Due to ongoing non-payment issues by the Department of Education (DoE), service providers may be unable to continue delivering food to schools in the province from Monday next week if payments are not received by Friday, August 23.
“Since May 2024, service providers have been facing serious financial challenges as a result of delayed payments from the DoE.
“Despite numerous attempts to engage with the department and to ensure that the NSNP operates smoothly, the situation remains unresolved,” the association said.
“This failure threatens to deprive learners of their constitutional right to adequate nutrition through the NSNP, a vital component of their educational experience.”
Suppliers had continued to deliver meals to learners despite the financial strain, adding that they were driven by their commitment to ensuring that every child received a meal each day.
Mncwabe said suppliers were now at breaking point.
“Given the current situation, the NSNP Service Providers Association urges parents and school governing bodies to make alternative arrangements for the provision of meals to learners until the DoE fulfils its payment obligations.
“Some service providers have not been paid for over two months and are no longer able to service their debts or maintain their credit lines, making it impossible for them to continue supplying food to schools,” he said.
KZN DoE spokesperson Muzi Mahlambi said the department had repeatedly told the suppliers that it was also facing financial constraints, but they would engage the suppliers to make sure food was supplied to schools on Monday.
“We have noted the complaints from the NSNP association.
“We are in the process of engaging with them because we do not want a situation like last year,” said Mahlambi.
National Teachers Union general secretary Doctor Ngema said it was unacceptable that the DBE did not pay people who were responsible for feeding millions of pupils.
“We are calling on the department to resolve this as a matter of urgency. There are no schoolchildren that should study on an empty stomach.
“This violates pupils’ right to food and education. Even last time when there were problems in the programme, we said the government should prioritise our pupils because there is nobchild that can concentrate when they are hungry. There are also pupils who depend on this as their meal of the day,” Ngema said.
The Mercury