The president criticised those who were against the lifting of the ban on such products, saying he was a scientist and was confident the genetically modified food posed no harm.

He said he had himself consumed GM food. “Have I grown breasts?” he posed, adding, “we must tell “the truth, let stop propaganda”.

“The whole of South Africa are 100% GMO... the US and other countries are 100% GMO. Have you heard of anyone growing horns because of consuming GMO?"

He said the GM technology would help address the problem of food shortages, saying that it was a "big indictment on us as leaders" that people were sleeping hungry decades after independence.

The president was speaking to journalists at State House in his first major televised media briefing.