A workshop for spaza shop owners within the Paarl area took place last week at the Thusong Centre in Paarl East. The session was spearheaded by the Cape Winelands District Municipality (CWDM).
“The training was conducted to help these small, but vital businesses follow the required standards in order to maintain their Certificate of Acceptability (COA),” says Stefnie Titus, chief environmental health practitioner for the CWDM.
The information sessions for spaza shop owners were hosted by the Municipal Health Services of CWDM, together with the Department of Agriculture and Drakenstein Municipality’s Department of Local Economic Development.
According to Titus the Municipal Health Services consists of 48 environmental health practitioners (EHP), stationed in the five main towns in the district.
“The Municipal Health Services have nine main functions focused on managing environmental risks by assessing and addressing the physical, chemical, and biological factors that impact community well-being.”
She added that the Municipal Health Services ensure that all consumable products produced, sold and / or exported into or out of the district is safe for consumption.
“The practical implications of this task include regular inspections at supermarkets, abattoirs, packing rooms, etc. as well as monitoring of air and water quality. Even the water in public swimming pools is regularly tested to ensure that it complies to the regulated standards.”
Workshops for spaza shop owners have been taking place throughout the Cape Winelands during September and October.
“Forty-five business owners from Paarl East participated. Although this may seem very few, bear in mind that one owner can have many shops and that there is more than one opportunity for the owners in the area to attend.
“With the recent events surrounding food safety of products specifically bought at spaza shops, coupled with the joint operations done throughout the country involving municipal health, local municipalities, the police, Sars and department of home affairs, CWDM Municipal Health Services saw the need to educate spaza shop owners on the legalities of opening and running such businesses in order to become compliant and ensuring the safety of food products sold to the public.”
Some of the key points that were touched on, include – hygiene requirements and the importance of practicing good personal hygiene which includes frequent handwashing; safe storage and use of pesticides; and the registration and licensing process of spaza shops at Drakenstein Municipality.
Titus says CWDM will continue the need to offer such workshops as the need arises, because they committed to health education and training, and assisting businesses to become compliant.
Spaza shop owners within Drakenstein can contact their local environmental health practitioners at the office of the CWDM, 194 Main Road, Paarl or phone 021 871 1001. Alternatively, they can email Stefnie Titus at stefnie@capewinelands.gov.za. Any spaza shop owner within the Cape Winelands in other municipal areas can contact the CWDM directly either via e-mail at admin@capewinelands.gov.za or sharecall, 0861 265 263 for information.
