Governance, Power and Public Engagement in Food Systems

This programme explores governance structures impacting food security at multiple levels. Projects within this programme focus on strengthening local food governance, including examining multi-level and transversal governance practices and the effectiveness of food charters in engaging civil society. Work in urban food systems, including a project on national food governance, aimed at improving food safety governance at the national level and engaging with policy at both national and international levels. At a grassroots level, the CoE-FS engages with local government, communities and NGOs, including the Breede Valley and Witzenberg municipalities, the cities of Cape Town and Johannesburg, the national fresh produce markets, the Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, the Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute and the Western Cape Economic Development Partnership, among others.

This programme was led by Professor Julian May (UWC), and Dr Marc Wegerif (UP) during 2023 following the retirement of Professor Bruno Losch in September, 2022. The programme consisted of four projects.