The Department of Education needs to do more to ensure the safety of our children while at school,” said Matakanye.
Following the tragic incidents, President Cyril Ramaphosa declared a national disaster to address the food safety crisis and ensure that measures are put in place to prevent further loss of life.
The declaration allowed for the mobilization of resources and coordination of efforts across government departments to address the root causes of foodborne illnesses in South Africa.
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi announced that a task team had been established to investigate the incidents and develop a comprehensive plan to improve food safety standards in the country.
“We cannot continue to lose our children to preventable foodborne illnesses. It is imperative that we take immediate action to protect the health and well-being of all South Africans,” said Motsoaledi.
The task team will work with food safety experts, health officials, and other stakeholders to identify gaps in the current system and implement measures to prevent future outbreaks of foodborne illnesses.
South Africans are calling for stricter regulations and better enforcement of food safety standards to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future. The government is under pressure to act swiftly and decisively to restore public confidence in the safety of the food supply chain.
As the nation mourns the loss of innocent lives, there is hope that the government’s actions will lead to a safer and healthier future for all South Africans.
The recent spate of child deaths due to food poisoning has sparked outrage and concern among parents and citizens alike. Matakanye, a concerned parent, expressed his distress by stating, “We can’t stand and watch while our children are dying.” The Department of Basic Education has urged parents to monitor the food items their children consume and verify the source of such items, especially snacks bought from informal traders.
In early November, a tragic incident occurred in Alexandra where a 10-year-old girl lost her life after consuming snacks from a store. The delay in addressing the nation by President Cyril Ramaphosa, who waited until November 15 to acknowledge the issue, further exacerbated the frustration felt by families of the deceased children and concerned citizens.
During his address, President Ramaphosa attributed the deaths to illegal pesticides and highlighted the unsafe storage practices of food alongside pesticides and detergents. He acknowledged that poor waste management in municipalities leads to rat infestations, prompting the use of hazardous substances like Terbufos and Aldicarb as cheap remedies.
Contrary to popular belief, the president emphasized that the problem is not exclusive to spaza shops owned by foreign nationals. He took swift action by ordering the shutdown of implicated spaza shops and street vendors, mandating all food handling establishments to register with local municipalities under threat of consequences for non-compliance.
A nationwide drive followed, with municipalities and law enforcement inspecting and closing non-compliant stores, alongside a public education campaign on food safety and proper handling of chemicals. The severity of the situation was confirmed in November when the classification of children’s deaths due to food-borne illnesses was declared a national disaster by Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa.
The classification of foodborne illnesses as a national disaster activated all departments to take action, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. Authorities are in the process of considering a formal declaration of the disaster, while efforts continue to address the root causes of food poisoning incidents.
Overall, the government’s response to the crisis has been swift and decisive, with a focus on ensuring the safety and well-being of children across the country. It is imperative for all stakeholders to work together to prevent future tragedies and safeguard the health of our most vulnerable citizens.
