How Hot Mess Food Club is tackling food insecurity and youth unemployment

Hot Mess Food Club, a South African food and logistics company based in Johannesburg, aims to tackle food insecurity and youth unemployment by providing affordable groceries and employment opportunities. The organization's technology-enabled integrated model addresses these challenges through a sustainable platform.

In the second quarter of 2026, Statistics South Africa reported a youth unemployment rate of 47.4% for individuals aged 15 to 34, compared to the official unemployment rate of 33.6%. Furthermore, the 2025 General Household Survey found that 22% of households considered their access to food inadequate or severely inadequate, a 4.2 percentage point increase since 2019.

At the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) launch of the organization, 60 students from the university were involved in the initiative. These recruited students were provided with part-time employment and then marketed Hot Mess Food Club's products to other students, graduates, and youth, as well as in their respective communities.

The company offers discounted groceries, free delivery, competitions, and food sponsorships. Students can earn between R1,500 and R3,000 a month on a part-time basis, which is often necessary for various expenses, including tuition and living costs. Hot Mess Food Club, founded by Andile Shongwe, operates a fleet management division that provides refrigerated transport, commercial vehicles, and delivery drivers to ensure product quality and affordability.

Shongwe's background in STEM, microbiology, and the hospitality sector has shaped the company's vision and approach to addressing food insecurity and youth unemployment. Through collaborations with various organizations, including the South African Union of Students, South African Technical and Vocational Education and Training Student Association, South African Youth Council, and the Congress of South African Trade Unions, Hot Mess Food Club supports vulnerable communities, uplifts students and young people, and promotes access to opportunity and sustainable pathways to employment and entrepreneurship.