From gourmet to grub: SA reacts to prisoners' new meal plan

Updated March 20, 2025, 5:37 a.m. | By East Coast Breakfast / Skyye Ndlovu

The Department of Correctional Services has introduced a cost-cutting meal plan for inmates, featuring pap, eggs, and soya.

Prison meals — New meal plan for prisoners / @luyolomkentane / X

Everyone is tightening their belts, including the Department of Correctional Services, which has introduced a new budget-friendly meal plan for inmates.

The revised menu, which consists mainly of pap, eggs, and soya products, is expected to save the department a whopping R200 million annually.

Before anyone calls this “prison fine dining”, the department assures us that this meal plan was designed with the help of a nutrition expert to ensure inmates still get all the essential proteins, carbs, fruits, and vegetables – just without the price tag of a five-star hotel buffet.

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Department spokesperson Singabhako Nxumalo explained that the changes aren’t just about cutting costs but also about variety. Apparently, eggs and soya are the new steak and potatoes in correctional cuisine.

He also added that the money saved will be redirected towards inmate self-sufficiency projects, meaning prisoners will continue producing their own food, making furniture, uniforms, and engaging in trades.

Unsurprisingly, prisoners aren’t exactly thrilled about the new menu. According to TimesLive, many have already lodged complaints, possibly hoping for a return to the “good old days” of six slices of bread, eggs, and tea.

Meanwhile, social media users have wasted no time sharing their (sometimes brutal) opinions:

@Lingomso_labo: “Eggs are very expensive, they must change it and replace the egg with Imana soup.”

@pmcafrica: “Seems about right… for good behavior, you get meat on the weekend? (Not that kinda meat. Cow or sheep.)”

@4mza1: “That is insane! How can you eat pap and boiled egg? I prefer the old menu – six slices of bread, a boiled egg, and juice or tea.”

@biccapital: “I like this VF Plus boere guy, hehehehehe. Reducing tenders and making prisoners work – now they gonna eat proper prison food. This is what we need!”

@NadiaFerriera85: “Let them grow their own vegetables.”

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For years, many South Africans have argued that inmates were living better than some hardworking citizens outside prison walls. It seems those days might be numbered.

Whether prisoners adjust to their new budget diet or not, one thing is certain, social media is enjoying the show.