12:40 AM
With
World Food Day on 16 October, it’s interesting to note that South Africa is one
of 25 countries where veganism has seen a sharp increase, with Cape Town being
most prominent.
Dr
Lize Barclay, lecturer in Future Studies and Systems Thinking at the University
of Stellenbosch Business School (USB) says the rise in veganism is very much
related to the rise in environmental concerns, especially amongst millennials.
“The
Economist declared 2019 the Year of the Vegan and South Africans represented
the 5th highest enrollment in the Veganuary challenge where
people commit to the vegan lifestyle for January.
"That entails no consumption
of animal products, such as meat, dairy, eggs, honey or milk. Ethical vegans do
not support any use of animal products, such as leather, wool or beeswax.
"Media
forms are used to facilitate growth in veganism with exposés of the condition
of animals involved, as well as documentaries such as Cowspiracy, often
having immediate conversion rates.”
The
United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation estimates that livestock
production contributes 14.5% to global greenhouses gas emissions.
"Furthermore,
water scarcity is becoming a major concern and it takes around 15500 liters of
water to produce 1 kg of beef. Animal agriculture also uses a third of arable
land and is one of the leading causes of water pollution and rainforest fires
for land clearance.
“South
Africa is a country with an agricultural economy very heavily dependent on the
production of animal-based products, with numerous industries related thereto.
With an increase in veganism the global demand for animal-based products will
decrease,” says Dr Barclay.
“It is not only direct animal products that will be
impacted on, but also many other consumables, such as sweets and wine, which
use some kind of animal product in their manufacture. The wine industry already
took note and are producing vegan wine ranges.”
She
says a unique challenge in South Africa in converting to veganism is the deep
relationship people have with animal products.
“This
ranges from the slaughtering of sacrificial animals for religious and cultural
festivals to the “braai culture” that remains the mainstay of many social
events.
"Navigating the ethics of animal rights and the environment on the one
hand and the right to religions and cultural expression, on the other hand,
will be very complicated.
"This will potentially lead to debate and possibly
unresolved conflicts, as we have seen with Cape Town’s Clifton Beach Sheep
Slaughter Incident on December 2018. However, there are influencers who state
that veganism is a return to true African traditional roots.”
Dr
Barclay says the implication of a notable move towards a vegan lifestyle is a
great opportunity for new restaurants, cookbooks and the development of
alternatives to meat.
“Most
supermarkets have taken note of the trends and have introduced various
plant-based and vegan alternatives.
"New faux meat companies, such as Beyond
Meat and Impossible Foods have gained support from investors and
consumers, even though these products are not entirely considered to be vegan.”
“Most
ridicule and questions vegans have to endure are often based in ignorance and
thus don’t be sheepish: go try a vegan dish on Meat-Free Mondays, a vegan
restaurant or enroll in Veganuary. It might just change your world, literally.”
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| Don’t be sheepish about veganism |
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