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EZEKIEL PHALANA
In recognition of World Hunger Day, PepsiCo South Africa (SA), through its community-focused bread brand SASKO, has launched a nationwide initiative aimed at supporting vulnerable children and raising awareness about food insecurity across South Africa.
The initiative brings together employees from all 12 SASKO bakeries nationwide in a large-scale sandwich drive and community engagement programme designed to provide nourishment, care and joy to children attending Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres.
At the heart of the campaign is a simple but powerful message: hunger steals the joy of childhood.
According to UNICEF, nearly 23% of South African children live in severe food poverty, while only 21% of children under the age of five receive a minimum acceptable diet. The effects of hunger and malnutrition continue to negatively impact children’s health, education, development and emotional wellbeing.
As part of the World Hunger Day activation, a special community celebration was hosted in Alexandra, Gauteng, where SASKO employees prepared and distributed fresh sandwiches to children at local ECD centres. The event also featured educational and recreational activities designed to create a positive and uplifting environment for young learners.
Children participated in interactive sessions led by SASKO’s beloved mascot, SASKO Sam, who shared messages about kindness, friendship, community support and every child’s right to simply enjoy being a child.
While World Hunger Day serves as an important moment of reflection and action, PepsiCo SA emphasised that its commitment to addressing food insecurity extends far beyond a single day.
“We have been working with the Department of Basic Education since 2015 through our School Breakfast Programme, serving more than 50 million nutritious breakfasts to over 37,000 learners across 35 schools in seven provinces,” said Nico Moloto, Social Impact Director at PepsiCo SA.
Moloto added that in 2020, PepsiCo SA partnered with other private-sector organisations to expand support to children in their early developmental years through an ECD breakfast initiative.
“Today, the programme reaches more than 15,000 children across seven provinces, supporting 649 ECD centres and serving approximately 3.6 million breakfast meals annually,” he said.
For PepsiCo SA and SASKO, the World Hunger Day campaign reflects a broader long-term vision focused on sustainable community partnerships and meaningful social impact. The initiative forms part of the company’s continued efforts to help create healthier, safer and more supportive environments for children and families across South Africa.
“Children should be thinking about school, friendships, playtime and the simple experiences that shape who they become — not where their next meal will come from,” Moloto concluded.
“Addressing hunger requires collaboration, consistency and a long-term commitment to creating environments where children can simply be children.”
About PepsiCo South Africa
PepsiCo South Africa is one of the country’s leading food and beverage companies, committed to driving positive social impact through sustainable community development, nutrition initiatives and strategic partnerships that support vulnerable communities across the nation.
ADDITIONAL INFO BY SASKO