Since 2008 Siyakhana has been the Johannesburg/ Gauteng-based partner in the African Food Security Urban Network. This is an initiative of Queens University in Ontario, Canada and the University of Cape Town and included partners in 11 cities in Southern Africa. Siyakhana was responsible for carrying out a survey of household food insecurity, poverty and health in three Joburg communities.

Click here to learn more about AFSUN and the research findings.

A UK based NGO, Health Empowerment Through Nutrition (HETN) appointed Siyakhana as the principle investigators in a study to research the impacts of a fortified food product called e’Pap on adults and children in the Alexandra township of Johannesburg. The research was undertaken in late 2010 in partnership with SANTA (the South African National Tuberculosis Association), and is supported by HETN, BHP Billiton, and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

Vitamin and nutrient enriched foods can be vital for individuals suffering from illnesses such as TB or HIV, but there is still little evidence demonstrating their efficacy, this is pilot study aimed to begin closing this gap. In addition to the nutritional effects of e’Pap on individuals, this study also evaluated the practicality of a variety of research instruments and procedures. We explored the sensitivity and validity of measurement tools to identify less invasive and less expensive alternatives to blood analysis to accurately measure people’s nutritional status in a real world clinical setting. Results will be available in the first quarter of 2011.

Siyakhana is contributing the food security section of the Green Strategic Programme for Gauteng on behalf of the Gauteng Department of Economic Development, via Gauteng City Regional Observatory. This project seeks to align future sustainability policies within the province, which we hope will include targeting food and nutrition security.