Malnutrition a Big Problem

FOCUS: Malnutrition is one of the leading causes of deaths among children in the Northern Cape and countrywide.

INTRO: Malnutrition is the second leading cause of death among children in the Northern Cape. The dry land in the Northern Cape has been found to be one of the major causes of hunger and starvation in the province. Statistics released by Stats SA earlier this month have revealed that one in ten deaths among children between the ages of 1 and 14 in the province is caused by malnutrition. It is also the third leading cause of death among children in the country.

IN:

OUT:

DUR:

TEXT

FX...FX...FX.. the voices of little children singing at a local soup kitchen in Colville near Kimberley just before receiving their meals... A recent report released by Stats SA has revealed that malnutrition accounts for over 11 percent of child mortality between the ages of one and 14. The problem is found to be worse in dry areas such as the Northern Cape. The Statistician General says lack of proper food security in the Northern Cape is a major a problem.

UPSOUND:

("THE NORTHERN CAPE HAS A VERY UNIQUE SITUATION BECAUSE IT IS VERY DRY AND PEOPLE DON'T HAVE AGRICULTURAL LAND WHERE THEY CAN PRODUCE OWN FOOD. IT MAKES COMMUNITIES VERY VULNERABLE AND THEREFORE CHILDREN VERY VERY VULNERABLE UNLIKE ALL OTHER PROVINCES WHERE THE EXTENT OF LAND OWNERSHIP IS STILL A VERY SORE POINT IN SOUTH AFRICA, WHERE PEOPLE STILL PRODUCE THEIR OWN FOOD. NORTHERN CAPE HAS A SPREAD OUT POPULATION. NO RAINFALL, FOOD SECURITY BECOMES A MAJOR ISSUE.")

TEXT

Now put the turkey aside for a moment and spare a thought for those relying on soup kitchens for a meal. Many relief centres close over the festive period, leaving many children hungry. An unemployed mother of three who lives in Colville near Kimberley says December is a period of starvation for her family.

She shares her home with forty relatives, all whom are unemployed.

She says life is extremely difficult during...