FOOD SECURITY

Definition : Having access to reliable, sufficient, affordable and nutritious food

FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO FOOD INSECURITY:

Physical environment factors
 Droughts
 Floods
 Outbreaks of diseases
 Land degradation and soil infertility
 Climate change – reduce food production – more frequent prolonged droughts
Social, economic and political factors t
 A shortage of arable land
 The replacement of subsistence farming with cash crops
 High production costs
 Foreign competition
 Poor infrastructure
 Overcrowding
 Lack of funds for agricultural research
 Lack of capital (money) – to invest in supplies and machinery
 Labour unrest – cause decrease in food production
 Labour costs are high
 Land ownership changes - leaves many farms unproductive
 Large areas are not farmed commercially
 Diseases in crops and stock
MEASURES TO PREVENT FOOD INSECURITY:
 Making sure that domestic agriculture continues to produce what is needed
 Importing foods that cannot be produced cost effectively
 Eradicating inequality and poverty
 Exporting food excesses at good prices
 Introducing rural development schemes that include skills training and the funding of farms
 Promoting sustainable agriculture practices
 Addressing and resolving issues of land ownership
 Helping rural households to produce their own food
 Creating job opportunities
 Improving food emergency management systems
 Genetically modified (GM) foods are produced from genetically modified plants or animal
Factors that favour beef production Factors that hinder beef production in
in South Africa South Africa
•Vast and extensive grazing land, •Lack of camp systems to protect livestock.
especially in the Highveld.
•Drought prevalence due to limited rainfall.
•Favourable climate for the breeding of
•Increased feed costs in times of droughts.
cattle. BEEF PRODUCTION IN SOUTH AFRICA
•Poor veterinary interventions i.e. cattle not
•Reserves such as hay and silage so
being vaccinated.
they can conserve surplus forage in
times of dry seasons. •Insufficient breeding stock for beef cattle.
•Introduction of communal farming for •High cost of fuel and transportation.
the utilization of the same land for both
crop and livestock. •Lack of equipment especially amongst the
small scale farmers.
•Provision of subsidies for purchase of
breeding stock and dosing products. •Diseases that leads to death of cattle across
the country.
•Availability of veterinary services for
farmers through government initiatives. •Increase in stock theft and pilfering (stealing
in small numbers on a continuous basis).
•Insufficient or declining grazing land due to
human settlement expansion
•Poor or no access to credit for expansion.

Contribution of beef products to the South African economy

•Increase in the market prices of beef especially for export purposes.
•High beef consumption within the country across major market segments.
•Sustained increase in rand value of beef products on a year-to-year basis
•A higher return value on investment i.e., more profit from less cost of production.
Activity 1
November 2018
FIGURE 3.5: BEEF FARMING

2020 AND BEYOND: A VISION FOR THE SOUTH AFRICAN BEEF

INDUSTRY

By Lloyd Phillips, 7 December 2017

In 2016 South Africa became a net red meat exporter for the first time, supplying
mainly the cheap beef market.

In 2016 global red meat exports amounted to 9,44 million tons. Brazil led the way,
exporting 1,85 million tons or 19,6% of the total. South Africa ranked 15th at 60 000
tons, or 0,64%, of the world total.

The recent drought showed how crucial it was for the country's beef industry to stop
focusing on exporting only cheap beef. By exporting higher quality beef, our industry
can protect itself from shocks that result in reduced profits.

It must be noted, however, that with the current high beef price in South Africa, the
country will be unable to compete against the likes of Brazil and other top beef
exporters.
[Adapted from https://www.farmersweekly.co.za/agri-
business/agribusinesses/ 2020-beyond-vision-sa-beef-industry/]
3.5 Refer to FIGURE 3.5, an extract on South Africa’s beef industry.
3.5.1 Which country had the highest exportation of beef in 2016? (1 x 1) (1)
3.5.2 Quote evidence from the extract that suggests that the beef industry is
growing in South Africa. (1 x 1) (1)

3.5.3 Refer to the statement below.

By exporting higher quality beef, our industry can protect itself from shocks
that result in reduced profits.
(a) Why does the exportation of low quality beef reduce profits?
(1 x 1) (1)

(b) Suggest how farmers can produce higher quality beef. (2 x 2) (4)
3.5.4 Write a paragraph of approximately EIGHT lines explaining the factors
preventing South Africa from being competitive with other top beef
exporters. (4 x 2) (8)
Activity 2
November 2015
FIGURE 4.5: CATTLE FARMING

SOUTH AFRICA'S BEEF INDUSTRY: WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD?

12:00 (GMT+2), Saturday 31 August 2013

By Lloyd Phillips

While South Africa has what appears to be a thriving beef industry, its average
productivity, compared with that of other countries, shows that it is not achieving its
full potential. This is partly due to the low productivity of our informal beef farming
sector. This problem needs to be corrected. The South African beef industry is in a
position to take advantage of Africa's increasing middle-class expenditure and
increased population growth from one billion to two billion people by 2050 – and the
associated demand for red meat. In recent years there have been worldwide
improvements in beef feeding practices and herd quality through the use of modern
technologies. These technologies have failed to find their way into South Africa's
informal beef farming sector. Due to several factors, including environmental
concerns, the national beef herd cannot be increased, and existing production
methods therefore need to be improved.

[Adapted from Farmer's Weekly, 31 August

2013]
4.5 Study FIGURE 4.5 based on cattle farming and answer the questions that follow.

4.5.1 Why, according to the article, is South Africa's beef production not at
the same level as that of other countries? (1 x 1) (1)

4.5.2 Why is there a need to increase beef production in future? (1 x 1) (1)

4.5.3 Why does South Africa have such a large informal cattle farming
sector? (1 x 2) (2)
4.5.4 Suggest TWO ways in which the South African government can assist
informal cattle farmers to improve their productivity levels. (2 x 2) (4)
4.5.5 State TWO environmental concerns associated with cattle farming.
(2 x 2) (4)
4.5.6 Besides being a source of food, give ONE other reason why the beef
industry is important to the South African economy. (1 x 2) (2)
Activity 3
November 2020
FIGURE 3.5: CATTLE FARMING IN SOUTH AFRICA

TOUGH TIMES NEED TOUGHER CATTLE

With the ongoing drought and foot-

and-mouth disease outbreaks in
South Africa, choosing the right cattle
breed for production and breeding
has never been more crucial. With its
adaptability and high functional
efficiency, Bonsmara cattle has
proved itself the ideal breed to cope
with, and thrive in, these challenging
conditions.

The Bonsmara, bred for Africa's harshest conditions, has shown that it can adapt to
the changing climate, reduced rainfall and warmer temperatures. The Bonsmara cow
is capable of walking long distances to find grazing. The breed also adapts in both
extensive and intensive agricultural environments.
[Source: https://www.farmersweekly.co.za/animals/cattle/tough-times-need-tougher-
cattle/]

3.5 Refer to the extract in FIGURE 3.5 based on cattle farming in South Africa.

3.5.1 Identify ONE problem from the extract that poses a challenge to
cattle farmers. (1 x 1) (1)
3.5.2 Why, according to the extract, is the Bonsmara breed ideal for cattle
farming? (2 x 1) (2)
3.5.3 Suggest TWO ways in which the government can assist small-scale
cattle farmers to increase beef production. (2 x 2) (4)
3.5.4 In a paragraph of approximately EIGHT lines, discuss how an
increase in beef production can contribute to food security in
South Africa. (4 x 2) (8)
Factors that favour coal in South Africa Factors that hinder coal in South Africa
•Coal is close to the surface and thus easier •Results in a lot of air pollution.
to mine.
•Pollute water resources as well as
•Rock layers have lower temperatures and COAL MINING IN SOUTH AFRICA underground water.
makes it easier to work underground.
•Fires and fumes can be very dangerous for
•High number of labor available in areas workers/Accidents onsite.
where coal is mined.
•Rainfall in summer put restrictions on
•Good infrastructure to transport coal to electricity generation due to wet coal.
power stations and to Richard’s bay for
•Fluctuations in the coal prices.
exports.
•Strikes and labor problems.
•Large coal fields, and availability electricity.
•Foreign investors’ concern about labor unrest.
•Government is positively involved in the
mining of coal. •Power struggle between labor unions.
•Talks of nationalizing the mines brings
Contribution of coal to the South African economy
uncertainty.
•The coal mining industry contributed approximately R37 billion to the economy
•Impact of illness on productivity.
•Coal is contributing to the GDP because mining companies pay taxes to South Africa.
•Hard lock-down during pandemics has an
•Taxes from coal mines stimulate the economic growth and development of South Africa.] impact on productivity.
•Coal mines funded the development of infrastructure in South Africa •Impact of load shedding affects production.
•Coal mines contributes to job creation in South Africa. Improving the quality of life of workers •Long transport route to ports increases the
transport costs.
•Industrial development as the demand for tools and machinery stimulates industries in South
Africa. •Exported coal are dependent on the
exchange rate.
•Cities have developed in the coal regions e.g., in Witbank.
•Environments have been destroyed by the
•Coal is an earner of foreign exchange.
mining activities.
•More investors will invest in South Africa as a result of exports.
•Coal is the raw material that provides to the manufacturing industry
•Coal mining is in competition with the green economy.
•Coal generates over 90% of South Africa’s electricity (ESKOM)
•Coal produces 30% of South Africa’s fuels such as petrol (SASOL)
Activity 1
March 2016
FIGURE 4.5: MINING

COAL MINING IN SOUTH AFRICA

Coal mining in South Africa plays a significant role in the country's economy,
as it is responsible for nearly three quarters of Eskom's fuel supply. It also
supplies coal to SASOL, who produces around 35% of the country's liquid fuel.

Coal mining in South Africa is centred on the Highveld, with roughly 60% of the
country's deposits located in eMalahleni (Witbank) and surrounding areas.
[Source: http://www.projectsiq.co.za/coal-mining-in-south-africa.htm]

4.5 Read the extract in FIGURE 4.5 on coal mining in South Africa.
4.5.1 Name the province in which most of South Africa's coalfields are
found. (1 x 1) (1)

4.5.2 Name TWO of South Africa's major industries that are dependent
on coal as a raw material. (2 x 1) (2)

4.5.3 State TWO environmental problems resulting from coal mining in

South Africa. (2 x 2) (4)

4.5.4 Mining and coal-dependent companies should work together to

rectify environmental injustices associated with coal mining. In a
paragraph of about EIGHT lines, explain how this can be achieved.
(4 x 2) (8)
PWV Region
Core Industrial Areas of South Africa
Region Factors favouring location Factors hindering Main industrial
development activities
Gauteng - PWV Transport - Dense network of roads  Overuse of water  Chemical
and railways from Vaal river  Iron and steel
 Pollution  Metal processing
Labour - Dense population-larger
labour force  Great distance from  Explosives
ports
Raw materials – Gold, Iron ore, Maize,
Platinum
Water - Eastern half- receives
adequate rainfall Vaal river water
supplemented by TUVA water transfer
scheme
Electricity - Cheap since coal is mined
here- Short distance from source
Relief - On Highveld where land is flat
Market - Dense population
resulting in high demand for
goods High buying power
South Western Market- High purchasing power Electricity is  Food processing
expensive
Cape  Textiles
Coastal- access to large overseas
markets
since coal fields are far  Fish and fruit
away canning
Transport
Water shortages-  Wine
Table bay for overseas trade located on  Petrol refineries
the western half that
Dense railway network for local links
receives less rainfall
Labour: Dense population of skilled
Few mineral resources
and unskilled
Raw materials:
• Deciduous fruit
• Grape
• Fish
Relief: Flat land
Activity 1
November 2018
FIGURE 4.5: PWV/GAUTENG INDUSTRIAL REGION

GAUTENG TO REMAIN DOMINANT IN SA ECONOMY UNTIL 2017

By Leandi Kolver

Gauteng continued to dominate the South African economy, contributing nearly 35%
to the national gross domestic product, until at least 2017. It is noted that Gauteng's
provincial economy was 75% and was made up of tertiary sector industries, including
trade, transport, finance and community services. The province was also regarded as
the natural destination for international investors wishing to establish a springboard
into Africa.

The PWV/Gauteng Industrial Region's diversified manufacturing sector produced

more than 50% of South Africa's manufactured exports. The PWV/Gauteng Industrial
Region has a number of copper-processing industries, which is supported by raw
materials from the Phalaborwa SDI. The diversified manufacturing sector, including
copper, will face major challenges in the next three years, including challenges related
to energy provision, labour, underinvestment in capital equipment and technology.

[Adapted from http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/gauteng-to-remain-dominant-sa-economy-

until-2017-2014-05-14/rep_id:4136]

4.5 Read the extract in FIGURE 4.5 based on the PWV/Gauteng Industrial
Region.
4.5.1 Quote evidence from the article to support the statement that the
PWV/Gauteng Industrial Region is a core industrial region. (1 x 1) (1)

4.5.2 Discuss ONE factor that has contributed to the PWV/Gauteng Industrial
Region being a preferred destination for international investors. (1 x 2) (2)

4.5.3 Gauteng's manufacturing sector is a major market for copper.

(a) Why is the Phalaborwa SDI the main supplier of copper to Gauteng? (2)

(b) How will the Phalaborwa SDI benefit from strengthening its trading
links with Gauteng? (1 x 2) (2)

4.5.4 Write a paragraph of approximately EIGHT lines explaining how energy

provision and labour will become major challenges that the
PWV/Gauteng Industrial Region will experience in the processing of
copper in the next three years. (4 x 2) (8)
Activity 2

3.5 Refer to FIGURE 3.5 showing statistics relating to Western Cape export
products.
3.5.1 Name ONE product in FIGURE 3.5 representing the primary and
secondary economic sectors (2 x 1)
3.5.2 Which primary product shows an increase in value after it has been
processed? (2 x 1)
3.5.3 Calculate the total revenue from the export of fresh fruit in the
Western Cape (1 x 2)
3.5.4 Why is fruit processing such a major industry in the South-western
Cape? (1 x 2)
3.5.5 Discuss TWO factors that support the export of products from the
Western Cape. (2 x 2)
 Activity 3
November 2020
FIGURE 3.6: PWV (GAUTENG) INDUSTRIAL REGION

The PWV (Gauteng) Industrial

Region is an integrated cluster of
cities, towns and urban nodes
that together make up the
economic heartland of South
Africa.
This region is the country's centre
of trade within Southern Africa
and beyond. PWV (Gauteng)
produces more than 33,8% of the
national GDP in current prices.
PWV (Gauteng) is estimated to
contribute about 45% of South
Africa's total economic output.
Despite its importance, the PWV
(Gauteng) region faces many
challenges, such as water
shortages and high levels of
unemployment.
[Adapted from https://www.gcro.ac.za/about/the-gauteng-city-region/]
3.6 Refer to FIGURE 3.6 and study the information on the PWV (Gauteng)
Industrial Region.
3.6.1 Which of the urban settlements in the PWV (Gauteng) Industrial
Region shown in FIGURE 3.6 started out as a gold mining
settlement? (1 x 1) (1)
3.6.2 Quote TWO statistics from FIGURE 3.6, which indicates that the
PWV (Gauteng) Industrial Region is the economic heartland of
South Africa. (2 x 1) (2)
3.6.3 Discuss TWO factors that have favoured the development of
industries in the PWV (Gauteng) Industrial Region. (2 x 2) (4)
3.6.4 The PWV (Gauteng) Industrial Region faces many challenges,
including high levels of unemployment and water shortages.

(a) Why has water supply hindered the development of the PWV
(Gauteng) Industrial Region? (1 x 2) (2)

(b) How did the PWV (Gauteng) Industrial Region overcome the
shortage of water supply for industries? (1 x 2) (2)

(c) Why does the PWV (Gauteng) Industrial Region face

challenges of unemployment despite the high concentration of
industries in this industrial region? (2 x 2) (4)
Activity 4
North West Prelim 2017
4.6 Answer the following questions based on South-Western Cape industrial
region.

4.6.1 State TWO dominant industrial products produced in the South Western
Cape. (2 x 1) (2)

4.6.2 Name the Spatial Development Initiative within the region. (1 x 1) (1)

4.6.3 Describe any TWO factors that favoured industrial development in the
South Western Cape. (2 x 2) (4)

4.6.4 Discuss, in a short paragraph of approximately EIGHT lines, how the

concentration of industrial activities in the South Western Cape has
a negative impact on people living there. (4 x 2) (8)
 INDUSTRIAL REGIONS PWV PE UITENHAGE

LOCATION

LOCATION

Factors influencing the • A good transport networks • Close to the harbour - cheaper costs
location • Well linked to other regions of South Africa for importing
especially harbors. • Skilled and unskilled labour supply
 • Large market. • Good supply of raw materials
• Raw materials available. • A good transport networks.
• Has skilled labour available. • International markets through the
• Large power stations in PWV harbours.
• Sufficient water supply • Centrally located in relation
• Has many tertiary education institutions • It has good water supply
(skills development)?
• Relatively flat land (easier construction of
industries).

Factors that hinder • Over-concentration of industries, • This industrial region is stricken by

• Strain on resources e.g., water supply, drought periodically.
power supply. • It is located far from mines which makes
• Load shedding the transportation of raw material to be
• Rising costs of Electricity expensive.
• Traffic congestion • It far from coal mine which results in high
• Far from the harbours creating more electricity costs.
expenses. • Sometimes employees engage is strikes
• High levels of air pollution. which result in loss of production.
• Labor unrests and protests.
• Safety problems.
Economic and social • Industries contribute to the GDP • Contribute money to the GDP
impacts • Earn foreign exchange • Earn foreign exchange
• The money earned through exports • The money earned through exports
increase the earnings of the regions. increase the earnings of the region.
• Local people and the rest of the country • Local people and the rest of South Africa
(both skilled and unskilled) benefit by (both skilled and unskilled) benefit by
getting employment getting employment
• Locals earn income - improves standard • Locals earn income - improves standard
 of living of living
• Decreases poverty • Decreases poverty
• The industries serve as a market for the • The industries serve as a market for the
local raw material. local raw material extracted in agriculture
• Companies reinvest in communities by and fishing.
providing bursaries and skills • Companies reinvest in communities by
development. providing bursaries and skills
• Infrastructure development development.
• Infrastructure development

Main Industries  Iron and Steel  Motor vehicle industry

 Aviation  Metal products
 Engineering  Textiles
 Chemical Products  Clothing
 Motor car assembly  Shoes
 Cosmetics  Fruit canning
 Clothing manufacture