Fatshimetrie: Endless queues at Soweto’s Jabulani Civic Centre have been the scene of chaos as spaza shop and other food establishment owners race against time to comply with food safety regulations imposed by President Cyril Ramaphosa. The race against time was sparked by the tragedy of children dying after consuming contaminated products.
Against this backdrop, small business owners have expressed frustration at the lack of clear information regarding the registration of their businesses. Salomendaba Mofokeng, who has run a spaza shop for 24 years, told the Mail & Guardian of her experience, saying she faced obstacles in her attempt to comply with municipal requirements. Despite her efforts, she was faced with constant requests for additional documentation, delaying the process.
Other women food business owners have also highlighted the lack of clarity from the authorities. One of them expressed dismay at the changing requirements and lack of clear guidelines, thus affecting their ability to comply within the required timeframe.
The documents required for registering a food business include, among others, the physical and postal address of the business, a description of the goods or services offered, the citizenship status of the applicant, as well as a declaration attesting to compliance with the applicable norms and standards.
Despite the efforts made by some traders to comply, others expressed frustration and concern about the consequences of these administrative requirements. Some highlighted the financial hardship caused by the temporary closure of their businesses while waiting for their registration to be validated.
The Gauteng provincial government has announced that businesses that have not met the registration deadline will be forced to close. This decision shows the authorities’ rigor in complying with food safety regulations.
Pending an update from the Minister of Cooperative and Traditional Affairs, it is crucial that the authorities work closely with food establishment owners to ensure a more efficient and transparent registration process, thus avoiding the situations of confusion and frustration experienced by many traders.
In conclusion, it is imperative that the authorities provide clear and accessible guidelines to food establishment owners, in order to facilitate their registration and ensure compliance with food safety standardsThis situation highlights the need for transparent and effective communication between authorities and industry to ensure compliance with current regulations and prevent future food tragedies.