Local vendor struggles as Gauteng Education Dept suspends food sales in and around schools

John Perlman interviews Lebogang Nkosi, who has been selling food and snacks outside and in a school for three years.

Listen below.

The Gauteng Department of Education has mandated the immediate suspension of food sales on school premises due to a concerning increase in foodborne illnesses affecting students throughout the province.

This decision is a response to alarming reports of illness and fatalities linked to unsafe food consumption among pupils.

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Due to safety concerns, the department has directed all schools to suspend food sales both on campus and in nearby areas until further notice.

However, Nkosi and other entrepreneurs, say that this situation has a profoundly negative impact on their businesses and livelihoods.

He adds that the safety of the food has raised doubts not only among community members, students, and parents but also within himself.

"You don't want to be that person who sells something and then a community member lands in hospital."

- Lebogang Nkosi

Nkosi says that the recent spate of deaths has taken him and his colleagues by surprise.

He adds that others in the industry have been selling for over three years and have never encountered anything like this.

"It's a very hard situation to deal with. We're still trying to get our heads around it."

- Lebogang Nkosi

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.