The new McDonald's-branded school desks in classrooms have sparked nationwide controversy, as civil society groups challenge the government's role in exposing children to fast food marketing amid rising obesity rates.
MiDesk Global, the manufacturer behind these desks, produces innovative wheelie school bags that function as both chairs and desks, designed for ease of use in varied environments. However, civil society organisations are adamant that this charitable façade serves a more sinister purpose; the McDonald donation is seen not as an act of goodwill, but rather as a strategy for marketing junk food to vulnerable children.
"With South Africa grappling with alarming rates of malnutrition, obesity, and a growing epidemic of non-communicable diseases, critics argue that allowing fast food branding in schools is irresponsible," read a statement from 22 civil society organisations, among them SECTION27, SA Council of Churches, Union Against Hunger, Amandla.mobi and Healthy Living Alliance.
Palesa Ramolefo from Amandla.mobi articulates a profound concern, asserting, "The department's decisions cannot be a compromise between private interests and protecting our children from harmful advertising." Ramolefo said the gates of education should not swing open to corporate interests that profit from unhealthy eating patterns, particularly when these interests exploit children as unsuspecting consumers.
According to the groups, McDonald’s donation of desks to schools should not be seen as charity; it is junk food marketing targeting vulnerable children. "At a time when South Africa faces a compounding crisis of malnutrition, obesity, and a non-communicable disease epidemic, allowing fast food branding into schools is grossly irresponsible and negligent. The department should be safeguarding children’s health, not exposing them to the marketing of high-fat, sugar, and salt foods under the guise of corporate donations," Ramolefo said.
"Additionally, McDonald’s is using the bodies of children as unpaid, walking billboards for the junk food market. By slapping its logo on the MiDesk, it ensures that its brand is paraded through communities, at no cost, while profiting from the very eating habits that harm children’s health. Minister Gwarube’s decisions cannot be a compromise between private interests and protecting our children from harmful advertising. Her responsibility is to serve the public and the constitution, which means keeping private interests in check and ensuring big businesses don’t profit at the expense of our children."
Zukiswa Zimela of the Healthy Living Alliance pointed out it is crucial for the Department of Basic Education to enhance the school nutrition programme rather than endorse practices that expose children to harmful advertising.
The civil society groups are calling for the department to withdraw support for the branded desks, recall them, and refocus on genuine partnerships that prioritise children's health. They also want the government to finalise draft regulations that protect children from harmful food marketing, and thorough regulations toensure that corporate investments in education are ethical, transparent, and not transactional.
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