A heartbreaking tragedy has shaken the quiet village of Ramosadi near Mahikeng in North West, after an innocent morning routine turned fatal for two young sisters. On April 11, 2025, the siblings, aged 8 and 10, became violently ill at school after reportedly consuming snacks bought from a street vendor on their way to class. What began as an ordinary school day ended in unimaginable sorrow, as the younger of the two, just 8 years old, lost her life that very afternoon despite emergency medical care. Her sister remains in a critical condition in the ICU, fighting for her life.
The sudden and severe illness has sparked outrage and concern across the country, with early investigations by North West police pointing toward contaminated food as the likely cause. Authorities are currently examining the vendor’s operations, including how the snacks were sourced, stored, and sold. The incident has once again thrust food safety into the national spotlight, especially when it comes to unregulated street vendors that many families rely on for affordable snacks and meals.
The community is devastated, with parents expressing shock and anger over the tragedy. Some have raised concerns about the speed of the school’s initial response, although early findings indicate that teachers acted quickly once the children showed symptoms. Still, the loss has left a deep scar on the village and intensified calls for stricter oversight and clearer health standards in the informal food sector.
This sorrowful incident adds to a growing list of food-related tragedies in South Africa. In 2024, the government was forced to declare a national disaster after more than 20 children died in separate food contamination cases. Now, with another young life lost, citizens are demanding action — not only justice for the affected family but long-overdue reforms to protect all children from preventable harm.
