Fourways vendors speak out after Gauteng Department of Education ban on food sale
Fourways street food vendors defend their practices, emphasising their long-standing commitment to quality and safety selling practices after the Gauteng Department of Education suspended food sales in and around schools over fears of foodborne illness.
The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has ordered all schools across the province to suspend the sale of food within and around school premises until further notice.
This decision follows a troubling surge in foodborne illnesses among children, which has prompted significant alarm within the educational community and has resulted in instances of both severe illness and loss of life among children.
Gauteng Education MEC, Matome Chiloane, expressed the department’s deep concern over the recent incidents and emphasised the urgency of taking immediate protective measures for learners.
Read more: JMPD takes action to clear roads of illegal vendors
“We are instructing schools and School Governing Bodies to closely monitor food vendors and tuck shops. Any cases of non-compliance must be reported to the District Office and the Department of Health.”
However, amid this backdrop of heightened anxiety over food safety, street vendors in the Fourways area stand firm in their commitment to providing safe, high-quality food.
Nosta Maphosa, who has been operating on Winnie Mandela Road between Fourways High School and Montecasino since 2005, spoke to the publication about his efforts to maintain high food safety standards.
“I’ve been here for nearly two decades, and not a single food poisoning report has come from my stall. I carefully check expiry dates on all my stock and have sourced my goods from the same reputable supermarket for over 15 years,” he said.
“I genuinely care about the children and their health; it’s heartbreaking to hear that some might be consuming expired or contaminated food, but that is certainly not the case with my products.”
Maphosa pointed out that the vendors’ livelihoods depended on their small businesses, and many of them were parents themselves. “Children’s safety is very important to us for our customers and our kids too. The food we sell must be safe and healthy.”
Also read: Fourways street vendors cry foul over JMPD stock confiscation
Acting Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Eunice Mgcina, recently announced the launch of the Spaza Shops By-law Enforcement Campaign to address food safety standards across Johannesburg.
This initiative will focus on inspecting health and safety standards, ensuring compliance with business licensing regulations, and identifying the sale of expired or illegal goods within spaza shops and food vendors throughout the city.
“Public health and safety are paramount, and we are making it our responsibility to guarantee that all food vendors comply with city by-laws and provide safe, lawful products,” said Mgcina.
This initiative highlights the city’s commitment to supporting legitimate vendors while safeguarding community health, striking a balance in the ongoing dialogue about food safety and the role of local businesses.
As schools implement the GDE’s guidelines, Fourways street vendors continue to stand by their commitment to food safety, advocating for transparency and accountability in their practices.
Follow us on our Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok pages. Join our WhatsApp group for any story ideas you may have.
Related article: JMPD enforces rules against illegal vendors
