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Ban on School Food Sales Leaves Vendors Struggling
Street vendors in Gauteng are reeling from a sudden ban on food sales at schools, issued by the Department of Education. Many vendors depend on school sales to support their families and are now facing an uncertain future. This directive, enacted without warning, has left them feeling stranded, fearful, and without income.
Grace Adriaanse, who has run a tuck shop at a school in Eldorado Park for 18 years, expressed her shock. “We were only informed this morning by the school principal,” she said. “This business is our bread. What will happen to us?” With the holidays approaching, Grace and her husband are anxious about their ability to provide for their family.
Vendors are questioning why the ban affects every school, even those with no incidents of foodborne illness. “Why are we all being punished?” Grace asked, adding that her business stocks in bulk. Without a plan from the department, vendors are worried about their investments and the impact on their families.
In Soweto, another vendor vowed to keep selling food despite the ban, as he also serves passersby. “If I stop, how will I feed my family?” he asked. For many, these school-based sales are not just a job but a vital source of income in an already challenging economic environment.
