Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

3-minute read
21 November 2024 | 14:01 CAT

The Gauteng Department of Education has encouraged tuck shop traders and street vendors to follow the province’s food-handling by-laws. (Photo by Nhlanhla Khomola – Daily Sun)

Following food poisoning incidents across Gauteng schools, the Department of Education has introduced stricter compliance measures to regulate food sales within school premises. This decision aims to ensure student safety and enhance food hygiene standards among vendors, tuck shops, and traders operating in schools.

The announcement comes after the Department of Basic Education circular outlined a framework for managing food safety within school communities. In an interview on Radio Islam International, Spokesperson Steve Mabona emphasized the importance of compliance, stating, “Anyone who sells must be registered and obtain a certificate of acceptability. This ensures proper food management, including transport, storage, and preparation, to prevent contamination.”

Key Compliance Requirements
School governing bodies (SGBs) and school management teams will play a central role in enforcing these guidelines. Schools are tasked with verifying the authenticity of vendor compliance certificates and monitoring their adherence to food safety protocols. Mabona clarified, “Verification processes must be done at the school level. Only those with valid certificates will be allowed to operate.”

Additionally, schools have been provided with a comprehensive reporting framework and awareness materials. This includes steps to address food contamination incidents and guidelines to ensure all nutrition providers adhere to strict protocols before serving meals.

“By the time food is served, all safety measures must have been cleared,” Mabona stressed. “The framework empowers schools to continuously check and verify that vendors and tuck shops remain compliant.”

No Certificate, No Operation
The Department has made it unmistakable: vendors cannot operate without a compliance certificate. President Cyril Ramaphosa has also underscored the importance of adherence to these measures. Mabona noted that ensuring compliance is a collective responsibility shared among vendors, SGBs, and school management teams.

“This is about safeguarding our children,” Mabona concluded. “The framework is a step in the right direction, and we hope it brings about lasting change.”

With lives at stake, these measures are a critical step towards ensuring a safe and hygienic environment for learners in Gauteng schools.

Listen to the full interview on Your World Today with Mufti Yusuf Moosagie and Steve Mabona here.