Food hawkers in Limpopo are furious after the education department temporarily banned food sales in and around schools.
The department announced last week that from Monday, 28 October, food sales would be suspended while they investigate cases where learners allegedly became sick or died after eating food bought at school.
In protest, hawkers from Tzaneen’s villages and townships marched from the Tzaneen police station to the Mopani District Education Circuit on Friday to deliver a letter outlining their demands.
The hawkers, who depend on selling food for a living, say the ban is unfair. “We don’t make this food ourselves – we buy it from foreign-owned shops, yet they’re allowed to keep trading without a problem.
“But we’re the ones paying the price,” said Rachel Modiba, a single mother of four children.
“Why take away the business of a poor black woman who is just trying to feed her family? Christmas is around the corner; how will we buy food and clothes for our children?”
Their letter was received by Mopani district Education Circuit director Phillipine Modika, who promised to send it to the provincial offices.
Martin Mashaba, head of the Limpopo education department, said the food sales ban is needed to give officials time to investigate the food poisoning cases. “We want to investigate thoroughly so our small businesses can reopen as soon as possible.
“We are asking for support from parents, the community and other stakeholders so we can solve this issue quickly,” he said.
Meanwhile, authorities in KwaZulu-Natal have also banned unregistered street vendors near schools from trading following reports of learners falling ill.
Pictured above: Hawkers from Tzaneen’s villages and townships marched from the Tzaneen police station.
Source: Nkhensani Mthombeni
