Although South Africa has reported national food security for decades, current production patterns,
land uncertainty and consumer preferences put future national household food insecurity in
question. Household food insecurity in South Africa is at unacceptable levels. This paper reviews the
country’s agricultural legislative framework in terms of food security and the right to food. The
review found that South African agricultural policies do not actively promote food security and the
lack of enforceable food security policy makes it difficult to coordinate existing policies. The lack of
food security legislation means that the right to food has no enforceable framework. A
comprehensive food security policy and legislative framework and implementation strategy is
urgently needed to address hunger and poverty to progressively achieve the targets set out for
national growth and development and realise the right to food enshrined in the constitution.