Johannesburg, 27 July 2026 – Octodec Investments Limited and Rise Against Hunger Africa have together reached a milestone of delivering over one million nutritious meals to vulnerable children and early childhood development (ECD) centres. This achievement reflects 10 years of dedicated support from Octodec in its commitment to fighting child malnutrition and investing in the sustainability of ECD centres, especially in its surrounding communities.

Key highlights

• One in four South African children under five are malnourished, requiring nutrition interventions
• Over one million meals have been packed since 2017, through a partnership backed by approximately R3.3 million in overall investment from Octodec Investments Limited
• The partnership’s annual meal contribution is equivalent to providing nutritious meals to approximately 435 children every school day for a full school year
• Nutritious support from Octodec created approximately R1.4 million in food cost savings for beneficiary early childhood development (ECD) centres

According to UNICEF, 23% of children in South Africa live in severe child food poverty, placing them at greater risk of life-threatening malnutrition and related health complications. This crisis has lasting consequences: almost three in every 10 children under the age of five are affected by stunting, which can impair both physical growth and cognitive development.

Every year since 2017, over 400 Octodec and City Property employees have gathered during Nelson Mandela Month to pack an average of 100,000 meal packs. These contain rice, soy, dehydrated vegetables, and essential vitamins and minerals designed to support healthy growth and development for children in ECD centres across the country.

This July, 485 employees joined the annual event to push the total number of meals packed over the duration of the partnership to over one million. To celebrate this milestone, Rise Against Hunger Africa presented Octodec with a special commemorative plaque in recognition of its longstanding support during its meal-packing event on Friday.

Since the partnership’s inception, the broader impact shows that, through Octodec’s support, over 400 children have had a meal every school day for a full school year. This has been made possible through its annual support of approximately R400,000, resulting in a total investment of over R3.3 million to support children and ECDs.

Lisa Carne, Head of Sustainability at City Property, said, “Over a million meals packed is an important milestone, but the real measure of success is the impact. We are proud that every year, our employees continued to play their part in increasing the number of children who are healthier, better nourished, and better positioned to learn because of the sustained support and partnership with Rise Against Hunger.”

Rise Against Hunger Africa’s partnership with companies such as Octodec has also helped support underfunded ECD centres, many of which do not qualify for government support. By easing the financial burden of providing nutritious meals, the partnership allows centres to invest in facility upgrades and improvements needed for registration, sustainability, and better learning environments. To date, Octodec’s support has generated an estimated R1.4 million in savings for beneficiary ECD centres.

“Food insecurity and child malnutrition is a complex and growing challenge, and having a dedicated partner such as Octodec shows why long-term partnerships are important. The consistency makes a difference. Their continued support and dedication over the years has helped us reach more children, support more ECD centres, and create much-needed impact year after year in many communities,” added Brian Nell, CEO of Rise Against Hunger Africa.

This partnership forms part of Octodec’s wider food security CSR focus, which includes the Feed the Future and Unity Meals programmes, collectively helping millions of meals reach vulnerable children each year.