Stunting is one of the most serious issues inhibiting South Africa’s future prosperity. Yet very few people know what it means.
At the end of this month, Compact Food Solutions (CFS) will be going out to three key Western Cape malls: Canal Walk, Tygervalley and Cavendish Square to spread the word and raise awareness of what stunting is and what can be done to tackle it.
Childhood stunting is defined as being too short for one’s age. Against the World Health Organisation’s Child Growth Standard, stunted children are two standard deviations below the median – basically, they can be up to 15cms shorter than they should be. Stunted children may have lost up to 40% of their potential brain development in the first three years of their life. They are more likely to get sick and die from common illnesses.
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According to the 2016/2024 SADHS and UNICEF report, one in four children in South Africa is stunted. This is largely due to a lack of essential proteins and minerals during the first 1,000 days of life. The damage caused by stunting is irreversible — which is why prevention is so critical.
“Urgent action is needed because this is a national loss. When children’s bodies and brains are impaired for life, their ability to grow into happier, more productive adults who contribute to society is reduced. A simple, low-cost solution is to distribute nutritional supplements in sachet form through NGO networks to early childhood development centres; this can make a real difference.” Jenny Martin, Managing Director at Compact Food Solutions
You can make a contribution to breaking the cycle. Look out for the Compact Food Solutions stands and ambassadors at a mall near you:
Canal Walk – Wednesday, 29 October 2025 – Sunday, 02 November 2025
Tyger Valley – Wednesday, 29 October 2025 – Sunday, 02 November 2025
Cavendish Square – Wednesday, 29 October 2025 – Sunday, 02 November 2025
Find out how a small gesture on your part can have resounding positive results.
Raise a Life. Raise a Nation.
For more information, contact:
Microsite: https://www.raisealife.co.za/
Social media page/s:
https://www.facebook.com/raisealiferaiseanation/
https://www.instagram.com/raisealiferaiseanation/
https://www.tiktok.com/@raisealiferaiseanation
