In recent weeks, alarming incidents of food poisoning have unfolded in Gauteng schools, raising serious concerns about food safety. The latest episode occurred at Mshuluzane Mayisela Primary School in Zithobeni, Bronkhorstspruit, on Thursday morning, where 25 pupils fell ill after consuming snacks purchased from nearby spaza shops. T
he situation highlights an urgent need for greater scrutiny regarding the safety of food offered to schoolchildren.
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Symptoms and Medical Response
According to a spokesperson for Gauteng MEC for Education Matome Chiloane, Steve Mabona, the ill students exhibited symptoms such as body itching and stomach pains approximately 30 minutes post-consumption of the snacks.
Emergency services responded swiftly, transporting affected learners to local medical facilities. While 22 of these pupils were discharged after treatment, the conditions of the remaining patients remain under observation. The health and safety of our children must be prioritized, sparking calls for safety measures in our communities.
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Government and Community Reactions
Chiloane stressed the importance of vigilance among parents and guardians, urging them to ensure their children consume safe food. The increasing number of food poisoning cases—over 150 pupils affected in less than two months—has stirred public outcry.
Activists like Hendrick Makaneta have called for immediate action and thorough investigations into the safety measures of food vendors. There is a pressing need for government accountability to prevent these health crises in our educational institutions.
