President Cyril Ramaphosa
By Nkosana Khumalo
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a new government proclamation aimed at regulating spaza shops across South Africa, addressing the alarming rise in food-borne illnesses linked to unsafe practices. The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) will lead this initiative to ensure public safety and improve food standards nationwide. This proclamation comes in response to growing concerns and tragic incidents involving contaminated food items sold at these shops, leading to illnesses and, in some cases, deaths, particularly among children.
On Friday, during a presidential community imbizo in Umgababa, south of Durban, President Ramaphosa spoke to thousands of community members gathered at Umnini Sportsfield. The President underscored the urgency of the new measures, noting that a lack of regulation in spaza shops had created hazardous conditions for communities, with many shops disregarding basic health and safety standards. “This matter is being addressed at the highest level, it’s being raised by several parents – our people,” Ramaphosa said, assuring the crowd that the government is taking the situation seriously.
Addressing a Crisis: The Rise of Food-Borne Illnesses
The catalyst for these new regulations was the tragic deaths of multiple children who reportedly consumed contaminated food bought from spaza shops. In recent months, health authorities have been investigating these cases, many of which involved children experiencing severe symptoms and being rushed to hospitals after consuming snacks and food items from unregulated stores. Despite previous warnings and intermittent regulatory efforts, the issue has continued to escalate, prompting the President to take direct action.
“Our children are dying from dangerous chemicals found in the food or snacks they buy from spaza shops,” Ramaphosa stated. He highlighted the “recklessness” of certain spaza shops that store hazardous materials on the same premises where food is sold. The President added that COGTA Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa has been tasked with spearheading the response, which includes comprehensive inspections, strict regulatory guidelines, and potential penalties for non-compliance.
Collaborative Action in the Government of National Unity
Ramaphosa praised the KwaZulu-Natal District Development Model (DDM) imbizo as a vital demonstration of the Government of National Unity (GNU) at work. He acknowledged the cooperative efforts of leaders from multiple political parties united in addressing urgent community issues. This imbizo, he emphasized, has been an effective platform for connecting community voices with government action. “Today has been a clear demonstration of how our Government of National Unity is also working,” he said. “I have Ministers from our various political parties that are part of the GNU.”
President Ramaphosa further acknowledged the contributions of all parties involved in izimbizo, which enable the government to receive direct feedback from South Africans, answer their concerns, and assure them that their issues are being addressed. Ministers and government officials in attendance responded to the crowd’s concerns about crime, unemployment, rising costs of living, and safety at schools, pledging to prioritize these issues.
A Call for Urgent Reform in Gauteng
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has echoed the President’s concerns, recently joining the call for stricter regulations on spaza shops throughout the province. Lesufi has emphasized the need for provincial legislation that aligns with national efforts, advocating for swift action to prevent further incidents. “The Gauteng government fully supports these regulatory measures to ensure that spaza shops across our province adhere to the highest safety standards,” Lesufi said in a statement. He described the situation as “a public health crisis that requires a coordinated and immediate response.”
Lesufi’s call aligns with the measures outlined by Ramaphosa, reinforcing the ANC’s commitment to addressing these challenges on both national and provincial levels. In Gauteng, where food-borne illnesses have been particularly prevalent, Lesufi is working closely with local authorities and health officials to conduct inspections and enforce compliance among shop owners.
National Effort to Safeguard Public Health
The proclamation directs COGTA to collaborate with various government departments, including health, agriculture, and policing, to address unsafe practices in spaza shops comprehensively. “The minister of health is also focused on this matter. I have directed that I receive reports as soon as possible,” Ramaphosa added. This interdepartmental approach reflects the gravity of the crisis, with officials aiming to close gaps in current regulations and set stricter guidelines for businesses.
The new regulations aim to enforce higher standards for food storage, sanitation, and shop licensing. For the first time, businesses will be required to pass regular inspections, adhere to stringent health protocols, and implement food safety training for employees. Ramaphosa emphasized the importance of swift action, noting that while the government has been aware of these issues, the current crisis has underscored the need for an immediate response.
Community Voices and Concerns
The imbizo also provided an opportunity for South Africans to voice concerns beyond the spaza shop issue. Community members raised issues ranging from crime and economic challenges to the safety of children in schools. Parents, particularly, expressed frustration and fear regarding food safety, sharing their personal experiences of losing loved ones to contaminated products. The South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) also urged the President to address safety and security in KwaZulu-Natal schools, following violent incidents that have endangered both students and staff.
One parent who attended the imbizo described the trauma of losing her child to food poisoning after purchasing snacks from a local spaza shop. “I want answers and I want justice,” she said, demanding accountability for shop owners who fail to meet safety standards.
Tourism and Infrastructure Development
During his visit, President Ramaphosa also addressed infrastructure and tourism initiatives aimed at boosting the economy in KwaZulu-Natal. The city of Durban, which has traditionally been a top holiday destination, has seen a recent decline in tourism numbers. Ramaphosa expressed optimism for a revival, mentioning upcoming investments from the business sector to rejuvenate the tourism industry. “The business sector has pledged to invest billions of rands to revive tourism, so I am looking forward to the revival of tourism so that Durban can go back to being the jewel of South African tourism,” he said.
Tourism Minister Patricia De Lille spoke at the imbizo, outlining plans to rebuild the province’s tourism sector through public-private partnerships. She announced an aggressive marketing campaign to counter negative perceptions and promote KwaZulu-Natal as a safe, vibrant travel destination.
Structural and Economic Challenges in the Community
Beyond tourism, infrastructure issues continue to pose challenges for residents in KwaZulu-Natal. Ramaphosa drew attention to the partial collapse of a bridge on the N2 highway, a critical transport route for the region. Expressing confidence in South African engineers, the President announced that plans are underway to repair the bridge, demonstrating the government’s commitment to addressing logistical issues that impact daily life.
During the imbizo, residents also voiced concerns about unemployment and the high cost of living, which have compounded hardships for many households. Ministers assured the community that they are working on strategies to create jobs and address economic challenges, particularly for youth and low-income earners.
Future Actions and Ongoing Investigations
President Ramaphosa’s plan to regulate spaza shops is just one aspect of a broader campaign to address public health and safety concerns across South Africa. In the wake of rising food-borne illnesses, the government has pledged to increase funding for investigations into food safety and expand the enforcement of consumer protection laws.
Investigations have already shown that certain spaza shops store “dangerous chemicals” on the premises, posing a severe risk to community health. Ramaphosa condemned these practices as “unscrupulous,” vowing that the government will hold violators accountable. The Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries has been tasked with supporting COGTA by identifying unsafe food products and implementing quality control standards.
Building Safer Communities through Collaborative Governance
The President’s actions reflect the goals of the GNU, which seeks to foster collaboration between political parties for the benefit of the South African people. As Ramaphosa concluded the imbizo, he emphasised the value of izimbizo as a tool for understanding community needs and reinforcing government accountability. “They are important because they enable us to interact with our people and hear their views, answer their questions, and follow up on their issues,” Ramaphosa said.
Through ongoing engagement with communities, the GNU aims to build trust and ensure that South Africans’ concerns are heard and addressed. The government’s response to the spaza shop crisis, coupled with broader infrastructure and economic efforts, marks a significant step towards fulfilling its commitment to public welfare.
Closing Remarks and Commitment to Action
As President Ramaphosa concluded his remarks at the Umgababa imbizo, he reiterated the government’s dedication to protecting South Africans from unsafe practices in the food industry. He acknowledged the pain felt by families who have lost children to food poisoning and promised that his administration would do everything possible to prevent further tragedies.
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