From a R350 million Atlantis factory to skills development, job creation and international exports, the technology company marks three decades of building its South African footprint.
Seen Here: From a R350 million investment in Atlantis to manufacturing millions of televisions and refrigerators, Hisense South Africa celebrates three decades of growth, job creation, skills development and community impact. As the company marks this milestone, its commitment extends beyond the factory floor — investing in local talent, empowering communities and positioning South Africa for greater participation in global manufacturing. Photo Credit: Sourced
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – As South Africa prepares to mark World Diabetes Day on 14 November, the conversation around diabetes management is increasingly focused on practical, sustainable dietary choices that help people reduce added sugar without making healthy eating feel restrictive.
Canderel has secured endorsement from the Glycaemic Index Foundation of South Africa (GIFSA) for 19 products across its sweetener range, providing consumers with additional options when looking to reduce added sugar in their everyday diets.
The announcement comes against the backdrop of a significant public health challenge. According to the International Diabetes Federation’s Diabetes Atlas, an estimated 2.32 million South African adults aged 20 to 79 were living with diabetes in 2024, with the country’s age-standardised prevalence estimated at 7.2%.
For people living with diabetes, those with prediabetes and individuals seeking to make healthier dietary choices, managing sugar intake can be an important consideration. However, nutrition experts caution against approaching healthy eating through an all-or-nothing mindset.
Registered dietitian Mbali Mapholi says the focus should be on identifying manageable changes that people can maintain over time.
“For someone managing diabetes or prediabetes, the goal is not simply to remove every food that contains sugar. It is about understanding how different choices fit into their overall eating pattern and identifying realistic swaps that can help reduce added sugar,” says Mapholi.
Making healthier choices more manageable
For many South Africans, changing established eating habits can be challenging, particularly when managing blood glucose is perceived as requiring the complete elimination of favourite foods.
Mapholi advocates a more balanced approach that considers the overall diet, portion sizes and opportunities to make informed substitutions.
Rather than focusing exclusively on individual ingredients, consumers can examine where added sugar features in their daily routines, including beverages, sweetened products and home-prepared meals.
Replacing added sugar with a low- or no-calorie sweetener, where appropriate, is one option for reducing the amount of added sugar in a particular food or drink. However, such substitutions should complement, rather than replace, an overall balanced eating pattern and personalised guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.
“People can become overwhelmed by lists of foods they should avoid. Instead, I encourage looking at where simple changes can be made consistently – whether that is reducing added sugar in beverages, choosing less sweetened products or making smarter ingredient substitutions when preparing food at home,” she says.
The GIFSA endorsement of 19 Canderel products places the range within this broader conversation about consumer choice and evidence-informed nutrition. GIFSA promotes awareness of the glycaemic index and identifies products that meet its nutritional criteria.
The endorsement does not mean that every product is suitable for every individual or that using a sweetener alone will prevent or manage diabetes. Rather, sweetener substitutions can be one consideration within a broader approach to nutrition.
“As a dietitian, I always emphasise that the bigger picture matters. Replacing sugar can be one useful tool, but it works best alongside an overall balanced eating pattern, appropriate portions and foods that provide fibre and protein,” Mapholi says.
Rethinking dessert without sacrificing enjoyment
Reducing added sugar does not necessarily mean abandoning desserts. Instead, it can involve reconsidering ingredients, preparation methods and portion sizes.
For people who enjoy preparing treats at home, Mapholi highlights simple combinations that incorporate ingredients such as plain lower-fat Greek yoghurt, berries, oats, nuts and chia seeds.
Three options offer practical inspiration:
- Berry cheesecake cups: Plain lower-fat Greek yoghurt, fresh berries and Canderel can be combined to create a dessert alternative with less added sugar than a conventional, heavily sweetened cheesecake.
- Chocolate Greek yoghurt mousse: Unsweetened cocoa, lower-fat Greek yoghurt and Canderel provide the foundation for a chocolate-inspired dessert with reduced added sugar.
- Vanilla chia pudding: Chia seeds, lower-fat milk, vanilla and Canderel create a convenient make-ahead dessert, with the chia seeds contributing dietary fibre.
The nutritional value of each recipe will depend on its ingredients, quantities and preparation. Choosing a sweetener instead of sugar can reduce added sugar, but it does not automatically make a dessert low in calories or carbohydrates.
“These types of recipes demonstrate that reducing added sugar does not necessarily require complicated ingredients or completely changing the foods you enjoy,” says Mapholi.
The emphasis is on making adjustments that fit naturally into everyday life, rather than relying on restrictive diets that may be difficult to sustain.
Five principles for making informed dietary choices
For South Africans looking to manage added sugar and make more informed decisions about their diets, Mapholi recommends five practical principles:
1. Consider the whole eating pattern. Individual foods should be assessed within the context of the overall diet, rather than labelled in isolation.
2. Make realistic substitutions. Reducing added sugar and choosing appropriate lower-fat or lower-GI options can be useful steps where they fit individual nutritional needs.
3. Include fibre and protein. Foods containing fibre and protein can contribute to balanced meals and snacks and support overall nutritional quality.
4. Pay attention to portions. Portion sizes remain important, particularly when consuming desserts, treats and other energy-dense foods.
5. Prioritise consistency over perfection. Sustainable dietary changes are generally more practical than short-term restriction or attempts to follow an unnecessarily rigid eating plan.
These principles reinforce the importance of approaching diabetes management as an ongoing process that considers individual circumstances, dietary requirements and professional medical advice.
A broader conversation about diabetes awareness
World Diabetes Day provides an opportunity to strengthen public awareness of diabetes prevention, early detection and long-term management.
While reducing added sugar can be one component of a healthier eating pattern, diabetes risk and blood glucose management are influenced by multiple factors, including overall diet, physical activity, body weight, genetics and access to healthcare.
For people already living with diabetes, dietary decisions should be tailored to their individual treatment plans and discussed with their healthcare teams where necessary.
Canderel’s GIFSA-endorsed range adds another option for consumers seeking to reduce added sugar, while the accompanying nutrition guidance highlights the importance of informed decisions rather than blanket food restrictions.
“Healthy eating is not about creating a perfect diet. It is about making informed choices that are realistic for your lifestyle,” Mapholi concludes. “For people managing diabetes or trying to reduce their risk of developing it, having practical options that make lower-sugar and lower-GI choices easier can be an important part of that journey.”
As World Diabetes Day approaches, the message is clear: meaningful dietary change does not have to begin with a complete lifestyle overhaul. Small, considered adjustments, supported by reliable nutritional information and appropriate healthcare guidance, can help people build healthier habits over time.
