THE National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) Service Providers Association has called out the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education for failing to pay service providers, putting the programme, and the essential meals it provides to pupils, at risk.
The association expressed frustration over the department’s failure to honour payment commitments outlined in Circular 83 of 2024 and Circular 01 of 2025.
“These promises have not been honoured, and the department has failed to provide any further communication to service providers or the association’s leadership,” said Thabang Mncwabe, the association’s communications and stakeholders specialist.
According to Mncwabe, the release of Circular 01 of 2025, which promised payments between January 13 and 17, was a calculated move to mislead the public during the provincial legislature’s school functionality assessments.
“This misleading action created the perception that the NSNP programme was running smoothly, while the reality paints a starkly different picture,” Mncwabe explained.
He said the delays in payment had left many service providers on the brink of financial collapse, severely hampering their ability to deliver food to schools. This has had dire consequences for pupils, many of whom rely on the programme for daily meals.
“Learners, who are the rightful beneficiaries of the NSNP, are now at risk of being deprived of their constitutional right to essential nutrition,” he said.
Mncwabe said the closure of Ithala Bank had worsened the situation, particularly for service providers who relied on the bank for cession agreements to purchase food. However, he was quick to add that the department should not use the bank’s closure as a universal excuse.
“It is unacceptable for the Department of Education to use Ithala’s closure as an excuse for failing to pay all service providers, particularly those who have no agreements with the bank,” Mncwabe said.
The association has urged the Department of Education and the Provincial Treasury to take immediate action to address the crisis. Their demands include:
◆ Transparent communication about the NSNP’s funding status, confirming that allocated funds have not been diverted.
◆ Immediate settlement of all outstanding payments to prevent further disruption.
◆ Implementation of a sustainable payment system to avoid similar issues in the future.
“The ongoing lack of accountability and communication is unacceptable. We urge the department to act with urgency and responsibility to protect the welfare of learners and the integrity of the NSNP programme,” Mncwabe said.
The KZN Department of Education could not be reached for comment at the time of publication.