Launch of Development Southern Africa special issue: Prioritising the fight against stunting

21 Apr 2026
A launch attendee reads the policy brief that synthesises 10 of the papers in the special issue
21 Apr 2026

The newly launched Development Southern Africa special issue prioritises the fight against stunting, calling for South Africa to move beyond temporary relief measures and to invest in structural solutions that address the root causes of stunting at scale. Launched on 21 April to an audience of academics, policymakers and practitioners, the special issue frames stunting as a connected, multi-sectoral challenge and makes an urgent case for it to be measured, monitored, and systematically addressed.

"The special issue harnesses local expertise and experience to understand why South Africa, an upper middle income country, is still struggling with stunting," said Associate Prof Wiedaad Slemming, lead guest editor and Director of the Children's Institute. "Stunting rates haven't shifted for over three to four decades in South Africa. This is a pivotal moment for us to look at why that is, and what we need to do to shift that. I think the special issue helps us along that journey."

Providing an overview of the special issue she explained its purpose as:

  • Documenting the available evidence on stunting in South Africa;
  • Outlining the international and local evidence on interventions and policies that have worked to address stunting; and
  • Identifying and prioritising research areas where there isn't enough known.

Also guest editors of the special issue are Dr Gabrielle Wills (Stellenbosch University), Dr Tanya Ruder (University of the Witwatersrand) and Mastoera Sadan (Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, writing in herpersonal capacity).

Our gratitude to Prof Ronelle Burger, associate editor of Development Southern Africa, for initiating and closely supporting the realisation of the special issue, as well as to Stellebsoch University for hosting the launch. 

The other collaborator institutions are North-West University, University of Western Cape, South African Medical Research Council, and Nelson Mandela University. This work was supported by DG Murray Trust.