Street vendors who were banned from selling in the vicinity of schools by the Gauteng education department last month are demanding compensation for income lost during the ban. They marched to the Department of Education earlier today in Johannesburg demanding compensation.

RAMAPHOSA DOESN’T CARE

They are also demanding that Ramaphosa steps down: "We’ve realised our President is a president in other parts of Africa, not South Africa and that’s why we came here to advocate for ourselves. Our President has no interest in the well being of his people," a vendor who did not want to be named said. The angry vendor said when Ramaphosa implemented the ban at schools, not once did he think about how families that would be affected by it.

"Single mothers were fending for their children, they were not depending on the R350 that Ramaphosa is giving people but know exactly that it’s not enough. How were we supposed to survive because selling at schools was a daily thing," she asked.

NO DANGER

The angry vendor said many vendors have sold all their lives and no deaths were reported because of their products. "When have you heard that a child is dead because she ate skopas or an ice lolly she bought from a mama at the corner? Not once. Now we have foreign nationals who’ve taken over the township economy and killing our children we have to suffer for their sins, let them go," she added.

The Gauteng Department of Education emphasised that their long-term goal is to establish a regulated food environment in schools that prioritises students’ well-being.

"By implementing food safety regulations and fostering awareness among vendors and parents, the department aims to prevent future outbreaks of foodborne illnesses. Additionally, stringent regulations and compliance checks are intended to ensure that students have access to safe and healthy food options once tuck shops and vendors are allowed to resume operations," spokesperson Steve Mabona said.