NATIONAL NEWS - The Western Cape Government’s Khulisa Care pilot has reached an important milestone, with 2 027 mothers enrolled as of 7 August.

The programme is testing whether access to nutritious food, combined with community-based healthcare support, can help prevent low birth weight and reduce the risk of child stunting.

The pilot operates in Khayelitsha, Mitchells Plain and the Breede Valley, supporting mothers from pregnancy until their babies are six months old.

Tackling child stunting from pregnancy

Stunting can have long-term effects on cognitive development, educational outcomes and overall health.

Khulisa Care focuses on the period from pregnancy to six months after birth, when good maternal and infant nutrition can play an important role in a child’s development.

Premier Alan Winde said the pilot reflects the Western Cape Government’s commitment to supporting residents throughout their lives, beginning before birth.

“Our provincial strategy follows a life-course approach because the foundations for a healthier Western Cape are laid long before a child enters school or reaches adulthood,” said Winde.

“By supporting mothers during pregnancy and the first months of their babies’ lives, we are investing in healthier children, stronger families and a better future for our province.”

Mothers receive nutritious food and healthcare support

Khulisa Care is a proof-of-concept pilot led by the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness, in partnership with the Department of the Premier and the DG Murray Trust, with support from the Grow Great Campaign and Shoprite.

The programme supports underweight pregnant women, women at risk of delivering babies weighing less than 2.5kg, and mothers whose babies were born with a low birth weight.

Participating mothers receive monthly Shoprite vouchers to purchase selected nutritious, protein-rich foods, including eggs, beans, fortified maize meal, peanut butter, milk, amasi, pilchards, tuna and soya products.

The food support is combined with primary healthcare, growth monitoring, health education, mental health support and regular contact with trained community health workers.

Beans, milk and fish among popular purchases

Early information shows that about 90% of voucher redeemers spent an average of approximately R420 from the available R550 in a given month.

Popular purchases include beans, long-life full-cream milk, tinned pilchards and tinned tuna.

Western Cape Minister of Health and Wellness Mireille Wenger said reaching more than 2 000 mothers was an encouraging milestone.

“We are testing whether this type of intervention can help address low birth weight, which is a significant risk factor for child stunting,” said Wenger.

Programme bridges gap before Child Support Grant

Mothers remain in the programme until their babies are six months old, helping to bridge the period before many eligible families are able to access the Child Support Grant.

“Closing this gap matters. Supporting a mother with dignity during pregnancy and the first months of her baby’s life can help give that child a stronger start,” said Wenger.

“Prevention is better than cure, and by acting early, we can give every child a better opportunity to grow, develop and thrive.”

Western Cape to assess pilot results

The pilot has also provided insight into how the programme operates on the ground, with the Department and its partners continuing to identify challenges and improve the process and participants’ experiences.

Enrolment is expected to close in September 2026, while mothers already enrolled will continue receiving support for the full duration of the programme.

The Western Cape Government and its partners will then assess the pilot’s feasibility and whether the model could potentially be expanded.

“We will allow the evidence to guide us. If it shows that this is an effective and sustainable way to address maternal malnutrition, low birth weight and the risk of stunting, we will be in a stronger position to consider how the model could reach more mothers and babies,” said Wenger.

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