Food handlers in the Cullinan and Rayton areas gain skills to serve communities safely
Local food handlers gained skills and confidence during training hosted in Cullinan, opening doors to formalise and grow their community kitchens and food businesses.
Food handlers from across the Rayton, Refilwe and Cullinan communities recently underwent food safety training. The training aimed to equip chefs, church volunteers, school kitchen staff and small business owners with the skills and certification required to operate food premises legally and safely.
The session, hosted by the Premiermyn Hervormde Kerk and facilitated by Dr Bruce Mazangwa of General Food Safety, formed part of the process of obtaining the certificate of acceptability (CoA), a legal requirement under Regulation R638 for anyone preparing or handling food for public consumption.
Beyond compliance, the training created real opportunities for growth, as many attendees run soup kitchens, church events or school feeding schemes. For them, the training represented empowerment and responsibility.
The Premiermyn Hervormde Kerk, which co-ordinated the training, said the goal was to uplift the community by providing access to professional skills development at the grassroots level.
“With a CoA, individuals can expand food businesses from home, cater for events or even start small canteens or tuck shops at schools or churches,” said Mazangwa.
“It’s not just about food safety, it’s about opening up livelihoods.”
According to Ward 100 Clr Johannes Bekker, several participants said the session gave them the confidence to take the steps to formalise and expand their food-related activities.
Bekker also praised the initiative for its long-term impact, saying it offered opportunity, and that was how you built communities.
“For many residents, especially women and youth, this training is more than a certificate; it is a bridge to dignity, employment and independence,” said Bekker.
“We are laying the foundation for stronger, self-sustaining households. As participants now move forward to apply for their CoAs, there is a renewed sense of possibility in the air,” Bekker added.
“From church kitchens to street vendors, a new chapter of safe, certified and professional food service is beginning in the heart of Tshwane’s eastern communities.”
