Food Security Governance and Small-Scale Farmers in South Africa

Bethuel Sibongiseni Ngcamu is an NRF C3-rated researcher and holds two PhDs in education and public management. He started his career as a geography teacher in a secondary school and joined the eThekwini Municipality as a consultant to the City Manager on Research and a management advisor where he managed a myriad of projects and conducted change management interventions. Prof. Ngcamu is currently an Associate Professor of Public Administration and Management at the University of South Africa. He is the former Head of the Department of Public Management and Leadership at the Nelson Mandela University. He has published peer-reviewed journal articles, books, book chapters, and peer-reviewed conference papers. He has won various best researcher awards at different universities. Prof. Ngcamu serves as the Chief Editor for the Journal of Public Administration and Development Alternatives (JPADA). He also serves in the Eastern Cape Education Advisory Council (ECEAC).Babalo Yekani is a distinguished emerging researcher who holds a PhD in public administration. He is currently a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Public Management and Governance at the Walter Sisulu University. His scholarly contributions include publications in DHET-accredited, peer-reviewed journals, as well as conference papers presented at esteemed academic forums. He actively contributes to the academic community as a peer reviewer for journal articles, book chapters, and conference submissions across various reputable platforms. In addition to his academic roles, he supervises and has successfully mentored postgraduate students, demonstrating his commitment to academic excellence and capacity building. He conducted a notable research project for the office of the Premier in the Eastern Cape titled Evaluation of the performance management system for municipalities in the Eastern Cape Province (2019). His impact extends beyond academia through involvement in numerous community engagement initiatives, including collaborations with the National School of Government and the Department of Education, where he facilitated training programmes to strengthen the capabilities of public officials. In recognition of his contributions to research and scholarship, Dr. Yekani has received the Vice-Chancellor’s Distinguished Award and research seed grants, underscoring his role as a rising leader in public administration and governance.

• 1 Introduction to food insecurity 2 Food security policy and decision-making coherence and fragmentations in municipalities 3 Understanding local economic development, policies, and food security 4 Bottom-up vs top-down approaches on food security: Stakeholder inclusion 5 Fragmented government structures on food security 6 Policymaking and policymaking influence on food security strategies 7 Political and cognitive factors, policy change, and food security 8 Risks and security, resource scarcity, and political conflicts affecting food security 9 Business opportunities and economic growth of small-scale farming 10 Cross-sectoral cooperation, coordination, and communication regarding food security 11 Reflections and solutions to food insecurity