Food Security SA

Congratulations to Professor Ndomelele Ndiko Ludidi, CoE-FS Principal Investigator, on his appointment as a Guest Editor of a new Scientific Data collection on Food Security, published by Nature Portfolio.

“Food security is a growing global concern for human development, particularly in the context of a warming climate, biodiversity loss, and geopolitical uncertainty. This drives demand for both current data and future models in areas such as agricultural production; trade in food, ingredients, and fertiliser; food consumption and human health; nutritional data; and many other domains.”

The new collection responds to this concern by inviting datasets relevant to food security science from across environmental, biological and social sciences, helping strengthen the evidence available to researchers and decision-makers working on these complex challenges.

Professor Ludidi, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Sciences at the UniMpumalanga and co-Project Lead at Ukudla - African German Centre, brings expertise in climate-smart and regenerative agricultural systems, climate-resilient crops and environmentally sustainable food production. He has been an Editorial Board Member of "Scientific Data" since 2026.

He joins Guest Editors Dr Yuchuan Luo of Southwest University in China and Dr David Makowski of INRAE and Université Paris-Saclay in France.

Congratulations, Professor Ludidi, on contributing to this important international scientific effort.

Researchers across disciplines are invited to submit relevant Data Descriptors to the collection. Read more about the collection: https://www.nature.com/collections/hjhbeihgcb

Final few hours to submit your application to join the Centre of Excellence in Food Security.

RE-ADVERTISEMENT: Science Communication Internship

*Please note the change in NQF requirement (now an NQF level 8)*

Are you interested in making research accessible, engaging and relevant to wider audiences?

The DSTI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Food Security (CoE-FS) is looking for a Science Communication Intern to join our team for a two-year, full-time internship, commencing 1 September 2026.

This is a structured workplace learning opportunity for an NQF Level 8 graduate interested in building a career in science and research communication. You’ll gain practical experience in science writing, digital communication, multimedia storytelling, media engagement, stakeholder engagement and event communication, while working alongside experienced communication professionals and leading researchers.

Key details:
• NQF Level 8 qualification required
• South African citizens
• 35 years or younger at commencement
• Full-time: Monday to Friday, 08h20–16h30
• Monthly stipend: R8 500
• Part-time studies are permitted, but applicants may not be registered as full-time students or hold another employment contract
• Based in Bellville, Cape Town.

Applications close Sunday, 16 August 2026. Shortlisted candidates must be available for an online interview on Wednesday, 19 August 2026.

To apply, send your CV, motivation letter and supporting documentation, including a brief portfolio of no more than five work samples, to [email protected]. Full advert available on our website (foodsecurity.ac.za).

RE-ADVERTISEMENT: Science Communication Internship

*Please note the change in NQF requirement (now an NQF level 8)*

Are you interested in making research accessible, engaging and relevant to wider audiences?

The DSTI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Food Security (CoE-FS) is looking for a Science Communication Intern to join our team for a two-year, full-time internship, commencing 1 September 2026.

This is a structured workplace learning opportunity for an NQF Level 8 graduate interested in building a career in science and research communication. You’ll gain practical experience in science writing, digital communication, multimedia storytelling, media engagement, stakeholder engagement and event communication, while working alongside experienced communication professionals and leading researchers.

Key details:
• NQF Level 8 qualification required
• South African citizens
• 35 years or younger at commencement
• Full-time: Monday to Friday, 08h20–16h30
• Monthly stipend: R8 500
• Part-time studies are permitted, but applicants may not be registered as full-time students or hold another employment contract
• Based in Bellville, Cape Town.

Applications close Sunday, 16 August 2026. Shortlisted candidates must be available for an online interview on Wednesday, 19 August 2026.

To apply, send your CV, motivation letter and supporting documentation, including a brief portfolio of no more than five work samples, to [email protected]. Full advert available on our website (foodsecurity.ac.za).

“Apartheid remains visible in the water infrastructure: where it was built, whose systems are maintained and whose shortages have become normalised.”

At the recent Food Indaba one-day conference on water security, our Director Professor Julian May delivered his closing remarks, pooling the day's contributions from civil society, researchers, innovators and decision-makers.

These are moments from that delivery; read the full speech here: https://foodsecurity.ac.za/news/food-water-and-the-return-of-the-vlei-princess/

*Food Indaba is hosted by the Fair Food SA - SA Urban Food + Farming Trust with co-host and sponsor SOLVE@Waterfront, is co-sponsored by the DSTI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Food Security (CoE-FS), and supported by the UNESCO Chair in Science and Education for African Food Systems, and Ukudla - African German Centre.

Healthy bees underpin healthy food systems.

From supporting biodiversity and crop production to sustaining livelihoods and nutrition, pollinators play a vital role in food and nutrition security. At the same time, ensuring the authenticity, quality and safety of honey is becoming increasingly important as supply chains become more complex and consumer expectations continue to grow.

These themes were at the centre of the engagement, “From Pollination to Palate: Building Consumer Trust in the South African Honey Value Chain”, co-hosted by the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) Forum on Food Safety and the University of Pretoria, in partnership with the DSTI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Food Security (CoE-FS), FCI4Africa, FoodSafety4Africa, Ukudla - African German Centre, and the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria.

The programme brought together researchers, government, regulators, industry representatives, retailers and beekeepers to examine the honey value chain from pollination and bee health to regulation, market development, honey authentication, food fraud and consumer protection. A strong emphasis was placed on the role of science, evidence and collaboration in strengthening food safety, improving traceability and building consumer confidence.

Professor Lise Korsten — Co-Director and Food Safety Lead at the CoE-FS, Chair of the ASSAf Forum on Food Safety, and UKUDLA co-Project Lead — opened the day’s discussions by setting the scene on food safety for sustainable food systems, and was joined throughout the day by the following speakers/panellists/contributors: Dr Ezette du Rand, Dr Abdullahi Ahmed Yusuf, Dr Danie Jordaan, Salamina Maelane, Dr Christiaan Mostert, Lulu Letlape (Bongi Bees), Rory Hansel (The Beeger Picture), Mokgadi Mabela (Native Nosi) and Reema Maharaj (Pick n Pay).

Photos: Ihsaan Haffejee/CoE-FS.

We’re hiring!

📍Bellville, Cape Town

Are you passionate about communicating science in ways that inform policy, inspire action and make research accessible to wider audiences?

The DSTI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Food Security (CoE-FS) is offering an exciting two-year Science Communication Internship for an early-career communications professional who is eager to build a career in research and science communication.

The internship is intended to provide structured workplace learning in science communication. Throughout the two-year programme, the intern will receive mentorship and practical experience across a broad range of communication functions, enabling them to develop professional competencies in research communication, multimedia storytelling, digital communication, stakeholder engagement, media relations, event communication and science writing.

Application deadline: Friday, 7 August

For application requirements, visit foodsecurity.ac.za

At the University of Pretoria’s World Food Safety Day programme, experts from academia, government and industry reframed food safety as far more than a compliance issue. The message was clear: safe food is a strategic pillar of student success.

From residences to dining halls, the systems that keep food safe directly influence student health, academic performance and overall well-being. At UP, food safety is being positioned as part of the broader infrastructure that enables students to thrive.

Read more: https://ow.ly/FXC950ZqKkM

Healthy bees are essential for sustainable food systems. Building consumer trust in honey requires collaboration across research, industry and government to ensure authenticity, food safety, traceability and sustainable production.

Join us, the CoE-FS, alongside our co-host institution the University of Pretoria and partners Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Academy of Science of South Africa, FoodSafety4Africa, FCI4Africa, and Ukudla - African German Centre for this National Science Month hybrid event.

🐝EVENT DETAILS🐝

- Date: 31 July 2026
- Time: 09:00–16:00 SAST
- Venue: Hybrid: Online: Via Zoom | In-person venue: Future Africa Campus, UP.

Registration required. Details via the link below.

From Pollination to Palate: Building Consumer Trust in the South African Honey Value Chain - Centre of Excellence Healthy bees are essential for sustainable food systems. Building consumer trust in honey requires collaboration across research, industry and government to ensure authenticity, food safety, traceability and sustainable production.

At Friday’s Food Indaba 2026 one-day conference, “Water, food and the coming crisis: Lessons from Day Zero and pathways to resilience”, we explored how water shapes every part of our food system — from production and livelihoods to health, housing, dignity and justice.

The conversations challenged us to think beyond infrastructure alone. We reflected on Cape Town’s history, through the lens of water; the lessons of Day Zero and the COVID-19 lockdown; the growing global threat of water scarcity; and the innovations and policy changes needed to build more resilient food systems.

A recurring message throughout the day was that our future depends on restoring ecosystems, strengthening public institutions, valuing community knowledge, and ensuring that everyone has equitable access to one of our most fundamental resources. And additionally, investing in and maintaining water infrastructure.

Thank you to our speakers, panellists, moderators and everyone who joined us for contributing to a thoughtful, honest and solutions-focused discussion.

The conference was hosted by the DSTI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Food Security (CoE-FS), in partnership with Food Indaba, and supported by the UNESCO Chair in Science and Education for African Food Systems and Ukudla_centre.

Swipe through for some highlights from the day. More from the conference to follow throughout the week.

Photos: Jeffrey Abrahams / CoE-FS.