When a Nelson Mandela Bay mother finally found help for her starving five-month-old baby, it was almost too late for the infant, who is seriously ill after she was kept alive with cheap cooldrink powder because the family did not have any other food.
Improvement in health systems, food and nutrition security in Africa requires widespread partnerships between various stakeholders involved in value chains. Vulnerable communities need to be consulted so that any interventions adopt a bottom-up approach. Involvement of community members will not only ensure that indigenous knowledge becomes part of the solution, but also that any ensuing recommendations will be easily adopted.