In the 1940s, as a result of the Second World War, South Africa was undergoing a downturn in economic fortunes. Unemployment and food shortages were rife, exacerbating this economic depression for the working and lower classes specifically. The 1940s saw the growth of community based organizations as well as the involvement of women in politics, who were mobilising for bread and butter issues – politicising the provision of basic needs.

On 11 August 1943, in response to increasing food prices and unequal food distribution (due to the price hikes), a Food Committee comprising of forty-four organizations and trade unions was established. They organized ways to improve the distribution of food and carried out raids on shopkeepers who hoarded food.