A woman gives a plate of food to a child Payments to National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) service providers have been processed, the Education Department has said. File Picture: Independent Newspapers Archives
Durban: The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education has announced that all outstanding payments to National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) service providers have been processed.
The department confirmed that payments were captured on January 24 and are expected to reflect in service providers’ accounts by Tuesday, January 28.
“The Department regrets the delay in making payments but assures all relevant stakeholders that due diligence has to be undertaken in the administration of finances, and all regulations must be observed in terms of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA),” the department’s spokesperson Muzi Mahlambi stated.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Education, Sipho Hlomuka, in a statement expressed gratitude for the efforts of service providers, emphasising their critical role in ensuring learners receive meals.
“We appreciate the good working relations between the department and the service providers, who ensure that qualifying learners receive nutritious meals. We vow to honour our commitment to pay for services rendered. We also encourage our food handlers to continue supporting our learners,” Hlomuka said.
The announcement follows concerns raised by the NSNP Service Providers Association, which had earlier raised alarm over delayed payments. Service providers warned of potential disruptions to food deliveries, citing financial strain caused by the Department’s failure to honour commitments.
The Association also criticised the department’s reliance on the closure of Ithala Bank as an excuse for non-payment, noting that some service providers were not affected by the bank’s challenges.
The NSNP, a government initiative launched to alleviate hunger, reduce absenteeism, and enhance learner performance, feeds over 2.4 million pupils across 5 405 schools in KwaZulu-Natal.
The programme has previously faced disruptions, including a strike in August 2024, where suppliers halted food deliveries due to similar payment issues, leaving 60% of schools at risk of losing their meal supplies.