The Meal Assistance Programme at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) continues to play a vital role in supporting students who experience financial hardship. Anchored in the University’s commitment to student wellbeing and success, the programme seeks to address food insecurity while safeguarding students’ dignity.
By ensuring that vulnerable students have access to essential nutritional support, the initiative enables them to focus on their academic responsibilities without the added stress of unmet basic needs.
At the heart of the programme is the distribution of grocery packs containing approximately 18 non-perishable food items such as rice, pasta, maize meal, sugar, and tinned foods, among other essential groceries. In addition to food support, the programme also provides dignity packs that include personal care items such as sanitary towels, soap, lotion, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and roll-on deodorant. These items are carefully selected to ensure that students are able to maintain both their health and personal dignity while navigating the challenges associated with financial constraints.
In 2025, a total of 13,000 grocery packs were distributed across the University’s four campuses, demonstrating the significant reach and impact of the initiative in alleviating student food insecurity. The first distribution for the year took place on 25 February 2026, during which 1,800 grocery packs were distributed across all four campuses. The next distribution cycle is expected to support approximately 2,000 students, further extending the programme’s reach and ensuring that more students benefit from this critical support mechanism.
An important innovation introduced this year is the Meal Mate App, a digital platform designed to enhance the management of both distribution and inventory. The application improves operational efficiency while also promoting a more dignified and student-centred experience. By enabling a streamlined collection process and reducing the need for long queues, the app allows students to access assistance more discreetly and conveniently.
“Student wellbeing extends beyond the classroom, programmes that provide nutritional and dignity support enable students to focus on education while maintaining their personal dignity,” said Dr Nell Ledwaba, Senior Director for Student Affairs.
The Meal Assistance Programme is a statement of the university’s values: that no student should be excluded from success because of their socio-economic background. By feeding thousands of students daily across its four campuses, UJ is protecting its most valuable asset – its human potential.
