The study aimed to analyse how COVID-19-induced restrictions have affected rural household food security in Makhado local municipality of Limpopo province. The study used purposive sampling and proportional random sampling, and primary data was collected from 139 rural households using a questionnaire. Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS), Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS) and multiple linear regression model were used to analyse the effects of COVID-19-induced restrictions towards household food security. Based on the results, the study concludes that, food insecurity increased among rural households during the COVID-19 pandemic, and they were concerned about not having enough food. The COVID-19 pandemic robbed many people of their constitutionally protected right to sufficient food, weakening efforts to achieve "Zero Hunger" by 2030 under the National Development Plan and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Rural youth and women are the major victims of poverty caused by deprivation. As a group, they lack access to land, financial capital and participation in decision processes in the family and community levels. One way of overcoming this challenge is through the formation of cooperative societies. As cooperative societies are saddled with the responsibility of providing needs to their members and enhance the quality of their member's livelihoods, they are however, lacking the financial muscle in providing adequate loans and access to credit which hinders their performance. This study therefore examined the impact of entrepreneurial spirit on the performance of youth and women cooperatives in Eastern Cape, South Africa. In achieving this goal, data were collected from 70 cooperators by means of the random sampling technique. Data collected using the questionnaire were analyzed using descriptive and inferential model of regression. Evidence from the study revealed that youth and women cooperators are involved in different empowerment activities. Findings also suggest that the empowerment activities have a positive influence on entrepreneurial spirit of youth and women cooperators.

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