Using a nationally representative dataset from rural areas in South Africa, the study examines vulnerability to food insecurity using the Vulnerability as Expected Poverty framework. The dataset used was large and comprehensive to develop robust profiles of vulnerable households. This is executed employing the sustainable livelihoods framework. The findings show that human and financial capital plays a critical role in making rural households resilient from vulnerability to food insecurity. The failure of natural resources to support agricultural livelihoods emerged as an important factor for rural household vulnerability to food insecurity. Gender-based imbalances still prevail, explaining most of the rural household vulnerability to food insecurity. Female-dominated households still endure most of the prevailing vulnerabilities to food insecurity, and this is even worse for households headed by younger females. Policies, strategies, and institutions in South Africa have not been able to address household vulnerability to food insecurity. The study identified Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal as the most vulnerable provinces where food policy has to be a top priority agenda.

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Although South Africa has an adequate food supply nationally, household level food insecurity is still prevalent. One well-known social security intervention, the South African social grant programme, aims to provide financial relief to food-insecure households. However, there is lack of empirical evidence on how deep and broad the food security impact of this programme has been. Employing data from a nationally representative sample and using the instrumental variable method, the study examines this issue by measuring the resilience these households have towards vulnerability to food insecurity. The findings revealed that households receiving social grants are vulnerable to food insecurity. Chronic food insecurity prevails in rural-dominated provinces, while urban-dominated provinces mostly have transient food insecurity. Although this programme targets the poor, its unintended negative impact on economic activities would require policy priority. People with disabilities, female-dominated rural households, and environmentally friendly economic activities should all be prioritised in policy.