Floods and Food Security in Rural South Africa: Lived Experiences of Households, Farmers, and Food Entrepreneurs in Hamakuya Village

Abstract

Abstract Floods disrupt food and nutrition security by affecting food availability, accessibility, utilization, and stability. This study examined the effects of flooding on household food accessibility, availability, and stability, and identified coping and adaptation strategies used by households in Hamakuya Village, Thulamela Local Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa. A cross-sectional mixed-methods design was employed. Rainfall and flood patterns (2020–2023) were assessed using South African Weather Service data from the Punda Maria station. Quantitative data were collected from 407 households through interviewer-administered questionnaires, while qualitative data were obtained from four focus group discussions (28 participants) and six in-depth interviews. Quantitative data were analysed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS, and qualitative data were analysed thematically. Participants reported major flooding events in 2020/2021 and 2023, which caused crop destruction and damage to transport infrastructure. These disruptions reduced food production, limited market access, and constrained household purchasing power. In 2023, 66.3% of households reported poor food quality, while 70.3% experienced some level of food insecurity. Households adopted various coping strategies, including food preservation, meal rationing, and reliance on social networks. The findings indicate that flooding adversely affects multiple dimensions of household food security, highlighting the need for targeted adaptation and resilience-building interventions in flood-prone communities.