The Township Entrepreneurs Alliance (TEA) has voiced its support for the Gauteng Department of Education’s recent initiative aimed at enforcing stricter regulations within the township economy, particularly the controversial suspension of food sales in schools.
This comes on the heels of a tragic report indicating the death of 23 children alongside over 500 incidents of food-borne illnesses, a situation that has sparked outrage and raised concerns regarding the safety practices of local food vendors.
TEA, an influential network dedicated to supporting responsible entrepreneurship within South African townships, acknowledged the pressing food safety concerns while also recognising the vital role of township businesses in the nation’s economy.
In a recent statement, TEA expressed cautious optimism, stating: “While we commend the department’s commitment to food safety, a blanket suspension on food sales in schools may have unintended consequences. Spaza shops, often operated by micro-entrepreneurs, are more than businesses; they provide lifelines for thousands of families who depend on daily sales to sustain themselves.”
The alliance also underscored the importance of ensuring compliance among food vendors through health inspections that enforce standards.
They further advocate for operational integrity within their communities, affirming: “TEA’s advocacy centres on ensuring that only compliant vendors, who prioritise customer health and adhere to safety standards, operate within our communities.”
In response to the rising concerns, President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday directed law enforcement to investigate the growing number of fatalities, emphasising the necessity for stringent health certifications and proactive measures against the distribution of unsafe food products across all spaza shops, regardless of their ownership.
“Any shop that is not registered within 21 days and does not meet all health standards and requirements will be closed. This unequivocal stance is aimed at facilitating better oversight and accountability in the food industry, where non-compliance has been rampant.”
However, the response from various quarters has been overwhelmingly critical.
The African Transformation Movement (ATM), represented by spokesperson Zama Ntshona, articulated deep concern over what they perceived as a failure by the ANC-led government to address systemic problems.
“This crisis is not just a public health issue but a symptom of broader systemic issues,” Ntshona asserted.
He emphasised that many tragedies could have been averted had a greater focus been placed on the welfare of South Africans, urging for the long-overdue accountability and action to protect citizens from the hazards of contaminated food and illegal pesticide sales.
Moreover, Ntshona highlighted a pressing legal concern regarding foreign nationals operating spaza shops without adhering to investment regulations.
“In opening a business in South Africa as a foreigner, one is mandated to make a minimum investment of R5 million. There is no spaza shop that can credibly claim to have made such an investment, which means all spaza shops run by foreigners are in violation of the law,” he pointed out, underscoring the implications this has for local economic challenges.
On the positive side, the ATM welcomed Ramaphosa’s announcement of a R500 million fund set aside to ensure that South Africans benefit from economic opportunities created by these regulatory changes.
ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba also weighed in on the ongoing crisis, pointing to the porous borders as exacerbating factors.
The Star