How South Africans United to Make Nutrition Count

The DO MORE FOUNDATION galvanized an inspiring, one-month nutrition campaign ending with National Nutrition Week (9-15 October) and World Food Day (16 October) and centering on the critical link between early nutrition and lifelong learning. The campaign engaged over 20 corporates and hundreds of individuals across South Africa. Together, we delivered tangible impact.

Why the focus on early nutrition?

Stunting in early childhood is one of the strongest predictors of poor educational outcomes and limited earning potential. In that first five years, when roughly 90% of brain development occurs, consistent access to nutritious meals is not optional, it’s essential. Early childhood development (ECD) centres not only nurture children’s minds, but also serve as intervention points: when properly resourced, they can mitigate malnutrition, support growth monitoring, and impart nutrition literacy to caregivers.

Read: National Nutrition Week: Investing in Young Children’s Nutrition Can Build a Stronger South Africa

Campaign mechanics: Partnership, donation and merchandise

Over the campaign, we partnered to raise donations, sell merchandise (100% of the proceeds will go to meals), and charitable brand sponsorships. These resources were deployed to feed young children daily at their ECD centre and to extend capacity for sustainable nutrition implementation by equipping ECD centres with kitchenware.

Highlights and impact

Thanks to the collective generosity of South Africans, the current reach as of 17 October 2025 is:

900 young children will now receive a bowl of DoMore Porridge every school day for a full year, alleviating hunger and supporting cognitive development.

228 ECD centre teachers and cooks have been equipped with cooking and kitchen equipment, enabling better nutrition delivery on site.

More broadly, the campaign showcased how civil society, business and individuals can align their efforts to fight childhood malnutrition.

These are not just numbers - they represent real lives changed, days with full bellies, and opportunities unlocked.

Beyond the numbers: Ripple effects

By ensuring that children are better nourished, DO MORE and its partners are strengthening their readiness to learn, improving attendance, concentration, and resilience. For ECD staff, access to proper cooking tools means less strain, better hygiene, and a more dignified work environment. Through awareness generated by the campaign, more households are becoming attuned to nutrition as a foundational pillar of health and education.

Moreover, the campaign illustrates a model of collective action and it underscores what DMF has been doing more broadly; delivering millions of meals across communities through its national nutrition programme, and building partnerships to close the nutrition gap.

A call to continue caring

National Nutrition Week and World Food Day may mark a moment in the calendar, but the challenges of child malnutrition demand sustained attention and shared responsibility. The success of this recent campaign proves how much can be achieved when South Africans lean in together.

To every company and individual that sponsored meals or cooking equipment or bought merchandise - thank you. Because of your action, 900 children will eat, learn, and grow; and 228 ECD practitioners are better equipped to nurture the youngest among us.

Want to keep the momentum going? You can support DO MORE's ongoing nutrition work through donations, by partnering your organisation, or by spreading the word. Get involved here.

Together, we can build a South Africa where no child is denied the nourishment they deserve.