Food insecurity is a global concern on upward trajectory and common amongst economic and political immigrants. The food security status of Zimbabwean immigrants in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa was investigated from 379 randomly selected immigrants. Food security was measured using Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS), Household Dietary Diversity Index (HDDS) and Coping Strategy Index (CSI). The socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents showed that most immigrants were males 66%, 52.2% were younger (18-38 years) and 91.4% were employed. Most respondents 51% had tertiary education and 35.9%, earned between R3001-R4500. Based on the HFIAS, food insecurity assessment showed that that majority (75%) were food insecure, with 14% mildly food insecure, 33% moderately food secure and 28% severely food insecure. HDDS showed that 99.4% (n=378) of the respondents had a high dietary score. Dietary changes were the most adopted CSI strategy followed by rationing strategies. Food insecurity was perceived to be due to reduced /loss of employment, socio-political factors of theft, insecurity /violence, political crisis, lack of land ownership and high food prices. Age, immigration status and employment type were significantly correlated with food insecurity. Food insecurity was high in this study. However, in terms of the severity, results from HFIAS and CSI showed that most respondents were moderately food insecure. Household food insecurity was mainly due to food prices, reduced /loss of employment, and socio-political factors. Based on the findings of this study, efficient immigration processes, food aid and policies to monitor and stabilise the informal job sector are recommended.
Voedselonsekerheid is 'n groeiende wêreldwye kommer wat algemeen voorkom onder ekonomiese en politieke immigrante. Die voedselsekerheidstatus van Zimbabwiese immigrante in Pietermaritzburg, Suid-Afrika, is ondersoek aan die hand van 379 immigrante wat lukraak gekies is. Voedselsekerheid is met behulp van die Huishoudelike Voedselonsekerheidstoegangskaal (HVOTS), Huishoudelike Dieetdiversiteitstelling (HDDT) en Hanteringstrategie-indeks (HSI) gemeet. Die
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sosiodemografiese kenmerke van die respondente het aangedui dat die meerderheid manlik was (66%), 52.2% was in die ouderdomsgroep 18–38 jaar en 91.4% het gewerk. Die meeste van die respondente (51%) het tersiêre onderrig gehad en 35.9% het tussen R3 001 en R4 500 verdien. Volgens die HVOTS, het die voedselonsekerheidsassessering aangedui dat die meerderheid (75%) van die respondente voedselonseker was, met 14% effens voedselonseker, 33% matig voedselonseker en 28% erg voedselonseker. Die HDDT het aangedui dat 99.4% (n=378) van die respondente 'n hoë dieettelling gehad het. Dieetveranderinge was die HIS-strategie wat die meeste gebruik is, gevolg deur rantsoeneringstrategieë. Voedselonsekerheid is toegeskryf aan minder werksgeleenthede/werksverlies en sosiopolitieke faktore soos diefstal, onveiligheid/geweld, politieke krisis, gebrek aan grondeienaarskap en hoë kospryse. Ouderdom, immigrasiestatus en tipe indiensneming is aansienlik gekorreleer met voedselonsekerheid. Voedselonsekerheid was hoog in hierdie studie. Ten opsigte van ernstigheid het die HFIAS en HSI egter aangedui dat die meerderheid van die respondente matig voedselonseker was. Huishoudelike voedselonsekerheid is hoofsaaklik toegeskryf aan kospryse, minder werksgeleenthede/werksverlies en sosiopolitieke faktore. Op grond van die resultate van hierdie studie, word doeltreffende immigrasieprosesse, voedselbystand, en beleide om werk in die informele sektor te monitor en te stabiliseer aanbeveel.
