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OP-ED: SA’s food system on trial — Who controls what we eat?
ZA🏛️ PoliticsProgressive11 hr. ago

OP-ED: SA’s food system on trial — Who controls what we eat?

This op-ed argues that South Africa's food crisis is not primarily due to scarcity but rather a systemic issue of power concentration within the food supply chain. The author highlights how a few large entities control critical aspects such as seed supply, logistics, processing, and retail, limiting access and choice for farmers, small processors, and informal traders. These gatekeepers shape prices, availability, and consumer options, creating a cycle where economic power dictates food distribution. The piece emphasizes that while South Africa has sufficient food production and infrastructure, structural inequalities persist due to this centralized control.

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Daily Maverick logoDaily MaverickIndependentProgressive11 hr. ago
OP-ED: SA’s food system on trial — Who controls what we eat?

This op-ed argues that South Africa's food crisis is not primarily due to scarcity but rather a systemic issue of power concentration within the food supply chain. The author highlights how a few large entities control critical aspects such as seed supply, logistics, processing, and retail, limiting access and choice for farmers, small processors, and informal traders. These gatekeepers shape prices, availability, and consumer options, creating a cycle where economic power dictates food distribution. The piece emphasizes that while South Africa has sufficient food production and infrastructure, structural inequalities persist due to this centralized control.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the food crisis as a result of corporate dominance and systemic inequality, aligning with progressive critiques of capitalism and corporate power. It emphasizes the role of multinational agribusinesses and financial institutions in controlling food systems, suggesting a left-wing,

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