Flourish

On 16 June, we remember the courage of the young people who stood up for their right to a better future.

Their fight was about more than education. It was about dignity, opportunity and the belief that every child deserves the chance to reach their full potential.

Today, that responsibility belongs to all of us.

When children have access to good nutrition, quality healthcare, nurturing care and safe environments in the first 1 000 days of life, they are better able to learn, grow and thrive. The foundations we build in early childhood shape the opportunities available to children throughout their lives.

As we honour the legacy of the youth of 1976, we are reminded that investing in children is one of the most powerful ways to build the future they envisioned.

At Grow Great, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to grow, learn and succeed.

Food does more than fill hungry tummies. It helps children grow.

This World Food Safety Day, we are reminded that safe food is an essential part of good nutrition, especially during the first 1 000 days of life.

From preparing meals with clean hands and safe water to storing food correctly and keeping feeding utensils clean, small everyday actions can help protect children from illness and support healthy growth.

When food is safe, children have a better chance to absorb the nutrients they need to grow strong bodies, healthy brains and bright futures.

Every child deserves food that is not only nutritious, but safe too.

Grow Great is proud to be participating in the Urangani Obesity, Menopause & Fertility Conference 2026 on 6 June in Thohoyandou, where our Executive Director, Dr Edzani Mphaphuli, will present on "The Foundation of Obesity."

Obesity is a complex public health challenge with roots that begin long before adulthood. Through our work, we continue to advocate for the importance of nutrition, maternal health and the first 1 000 days as critical foundations for lifelong health and wellbeing.

If you're attending the conference, be sure to visit the Grow Great exhibition stand to learn more about our work to end childhood stunting, improve nutrition outcomes and support mothers, caregivers and young children across South Africa. You can also visit www.growgreat.co.za to learn more about our programmes and impact.

We look forward to engaging with healthcare professionals, researchers and partners committed to building healthier futures for women, children and communities.

Urangani Neurodevelopment Inc

Every child deserves the chance to grow great.

As we mark the last day of Child Protection Week and International Children's Day today, we are reminded that protecting children means more than keeping them safe from harm. It also means ensuring they have the nutrition, care, healthcare and support they need to reach their full potential.

The first 1 000 days, from pregnancy to a child's second birthday, are among the most important in a child's life. During this time, a child's body and brain develop rapidly, laying the foundation for their future health, learning and wellbeing. When children do not receive the nutrition and care they need during this critical period, they are at risk of stunting, a preventable condition that can affect them for life.

Child protection begins long before a child enters a classroom. It starts by creating environments where mothers, caregivers and families are supported and empowered to give children the best possible start.

This International Children's Day, let us recommit to building a South Africa where every child is protected, nourished and given the opportunity to grow great.

Yesterday, we proudly showcased Flourish during the Grow Great Eastern Cape launch in partnership with the Eastern Cape Department of Health .

The launch created space for important conversations around the First 1 000 Days, childhood stunting prevention and the power of community-based support in helping children thrive. It also allowed Flourish to introduce ourselves and the services we provide to mothers and expectant mothers, in our mission to halve childhood stunting.

Thank you to everyone who joined us in strengthening support for mothers, babies and families across the Eastern Cape.

Today, on the International Day of Action for Women’s Health, we are reminded that women’s health is a matter of rights, dignity and equity.

It goes beyond access to healthcare. It is also about having the nutrition, support, information and enabling environments that allow women not only to survive, but to thrive.

Across the world, far too many women continue to face barriers to nutritious food, quality healthcare and consistent support during pregnancy and early motherhood. Yet these are essential foundations, not only for women’s wellbeing, but for the health and future of the next generation.

At Grow Great, we see every day how critical a mother’s health is during pregnancy and the first 1 000 days of a child’s life. When women are supported, informed and nourished, children are more likely to grow, learn and develop to their full potential.

This day is a call to action to prioritise women’s health in all its dimensions, and to recognise the vital role women play in shaping healthier families and communities.

To learn more about the work Grow Great is doing to end childhood stunting and create safer, supportive health spaces for mothers and mothers-to-be, visit our website: www.growgreat.co.za

Support during pregnancy can make all the difference for both mother and baby.

Grow Great Flourish classes give moms access to guidance, practical information and supportive spaces during the first 1 000 days, a critical period for a child’s growth and development.

From nutrition and breastfeeding to newborn care and maternal wellbeing, our classes are designed to help mothers feel informed, supported and connected.

Flourish classes are now available at selected clinics across Nelson Mandela Bay.

Send a WhatsApp to 060 073 3333 to join a class near you.

Many of the foods on our shelves are marketed as quick, convenient, and affordable. Yet for many families living in communities where access to nutritious food is limited, healthier options are not always easy to find or afford.

The food choices made during the first 1 000 days, from pregnancy through a child’s second birthday, can shape health outcomes for years to come.

Many everyday foods can be high in hidden salt, and too much salt over time can contribute to high blood pressure and other health risks. During pregnancy, high blood pressure can increase the risk of serious complications like preeclampsia, which can be dangerous for both mother and baby.

Small changes can make a difference. Choosing fresh foods where possible, checking food labels, using less stock powder or seasoning, and being mindful of salty processed snacks can help reduce salt intake over time.

In the spirit of this past World Salt Awareness Week, let’s keep the conversation going by making healthier choices where we can, and advocating for food environments that make those choices easier for every family.