Key highlights

• One in four South African children under 5 are malnourished requiring nutrition interventions.
• Over 1 million meals have been packed since 2017, through a partnership backed by approximately
• R3.3 million in overall investment from Octodec.
•  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 saving for
• beneficiary early childhood development (ECD) centres.

Johannesburg, 27 July 2026 – Octodec Investments Limited and Rise Against Hunger Africa have together reached a milestone of delivering over 1 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.

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 ten 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.

**/Ends/**

**For further information, please contact:**

**Hudson Sandler**

**Kgomotso Hlakudi**
Email: khlakudi@hudsonsandler.com
Cell: +27 73 333 1672

**Louise Fortuin**
Email: lfortuin@hudsonsandler.com
Cell: +27 71 353 9643

## NOTES TO EDITORS

Octodec is a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) listed on the JSE Limited (JSE) and A2X, with a diversified portfolio of 209 residential, retail, office, and industrial properties situated in the major metropolitan areas of Tshwane and Johannesburg. The portfolio, including an equity-accounted joint venture (JV), was valued at R11.2 billion as at 28 February 2026.

Jeffrey Wapnick, CEO of Octodec Investments since 1998, is responsible for the effective management of the company, with a strong emphasis on the upgrading and redevelopment of properties. He holds various other directorships in unlisted companies, including City Property Administration Proprietary Limited, where he serves as Managing Director.

The Wapnick family has a long history in the property industry and holds a significant stake in Octodec, aligning their interests with those of other shareholders. Management has played an integral role in running the portfolio for over 25 years and therefore has an intimate knowledge of every asset and strong relationships with tenants. City Property, as the asset and property manager, has managed Octodec for many years and has extensive experience in property management, particularly in the Tshwane and Johannesburg city centres and in the residential sector.