KZN school nutrition: Service providers challenge notice of March 2026 contract expiry

The National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) Service Providers Association has criticised the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education (DOE) following the circulation of a departmental circular confirming the expiry of current NSNP service provider contracts.

The contracts are set to terminate on March 31, 2026.

KZN DOE issued SCM Circular No. 01 of 2026 on 22 January 2026, formally notifying schools and service providers that all NSNP contracts will terminate automatically at the end of March 2026. The circular stressed that contracts cannot be renewed unless lawfully extended by the Department under exceptional circumstances, which the circular said do not exist at present.

The circular further emphasised that service providers must continue to deliver meals according to approved menus and NSNP specifications until 31 March 2026. It outlined deadlines for final invoicing and reconciliation, warning that any services rendered or invoices submitted after contract expiry will not be processed.

The Department also stated that post-contract verification may be conducted to ensure compliance with procurement, financial, and quality standards.

In a statement, the NSNP Service Providers Association said it had formally written to the Head of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Treasury, Carol Coetzee, requesting urgent clarity and intervention regarding the circular.

The Association described the timing of the circular as “a deeply troubling administrative overreach with the intention to cause anarchy” given that bid appeals process related to the new NSNP tender remains unresolved.

“The integrity of the Bid Appeals process is paramount. Appeals were lodged in strict accordance with Supply Chain Management (SCM) prescripts and applicable legislation, citing evidence of serious defects and irregularities in the tender process. Until these lawful appeals are concluded, no department has the authority to communicate or act as though the tender outcome is final,” said Lindani Matiwane, chairperson of the Association.

Despite the tensions, the Association reassured the public that the NSNP will continue without interruption.

“Let there be no panic regarding the continuation of the NSNP. It is not as if there will be a disaster; the existing contracts have robust contingency measures that cater for such contractual challenges to ensure that the programme doesn’t get interrupted,” the statement said.

The Association concluded by demanding decisive action against officials who may be benefiting improperly from the programme. It called for investigations and prosecutions, including legal measures to recover funds where wrongdoing is established.

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