An ubuntu-informed framework for understanding climate-induced food insecurity and psychosocial wellbeing in South Africa

Climate-driven food insecurity contributes to psychosocial stress in South Africa, yet existing frameworks overlook collective and relational coping practices. This qualitative case study explores how households of Mdantsane township in the Eastern Cape Province are affected by climate-driven food stress. Interviews with household heads and focus group discussions (FGDs) with community leaders and stokvel members were analyzed thematically. Findings revealed that food insecurity contributes to psychosocial stress and family conflict, while collective strategies, community leadership, and institutional coordination enhance psychosocial wellbeing. The study contributes an Ubuntu-informed framework that integrates collectivism and resilience mechanisms as buffers for climate-driven psychosocial stress.