Food Poisoning On The Rise: 16 Tembisa Primary School Pupils Hospitalized.
In a worrying incident at a Tembisa Primary School, 16 pupils were hospitalized after allegedly consuming atchar, raising concerns about food safety within Gauteng schools. Six affected children have since been discharged, but the event highlights an ongoing issue of foodborne illnesses in educational institutions across the province.
Incident Details
The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) reported that a group of Emmangweni Primary pupils experienced dizziness and vomiting shortly after eating achar. Preliminary investigations revealed that two Grade 7 students sold the atchar on behalf of a woman involved in the Community Work Programme (CWP). The ill pupils were promptly transported to local hospitals, where emergency services provided medical assistance.
According to GDE spokesperson Steve Mabona, parents were notified immediately and accompanied their children to medical facilities. The department assured the public that it is working closely with health authorities to investigate the root cause of the incident.
Mabona emphasized the importance of safety in schools, stating, “The safety of all learners remains a top priority as the department works closely with health authorities to address the situation.”
Growing Concerns Over Foodborne Illnesses in Schools
This recent incident in Tembisa adds to the growing list of food poisoning cases reported in Gauteng schools, raising alarms over student safety. Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane expressed deep concern, stating:
“The health and safety of our learners is our highest priority. We are working closely with authorities to fully investigate the cause of this incident. We wish the affected learners a speedy recovery and will provide the necessary psycho-social support to the families and school community at large.”
Chiloane’s remarks underscore the urgent need for action, as such cases are becoming increasingly frequent.
Recent Food Poisoning Incidents in Gauteng
The Tembisa case is not an isolated event. Food-related illnesses have plagued several schools in Gauteng recently:
- Bronkhorstspruit Incident:
Just last week, more than 25 pupils were rushed to the hospital after consuming food bought from a spaza shop. - Tragedy in Naledi, Soweto:
A devastating incident occurred when six children died after eating snacks purchased from a spaza shop. - Nationwide Trend:
Across South Africa, approximately 150 pupils have been hospitalized due to suspected food poisoning in less than two months, suggesting a broader problem that demands immediate attention.
Investigations and Safety Measures
The GDE has initiated a full investigation into the Tembisa incident, focusing on the origins of the atchar and how it was sold on school premises. Authorities are exploring whether the CWP member involved followed proper food safety protocols. The department has vowed to implement stricter food handling guidelines within schools and increase collaboration with health officials to prevent future occurrences.
Addressing the Safety of Learners
The rise in foodborne illnesses has prompted schools, parents, and the government to rethink food safety policies. The GDE has stressed that providing a secure learning environment goes beyond academics—it also involves ensuring that students consume safe food, whether provided by school vendors, spaza shops, or external sources.
The department is also preparing to offer psychological support to the affected students and their families, recognizing the emotional toll these incidents can take on the school community.
The hospitalization of 16 pupils in Tembisa is the latest in a troubling series of foodborne illness outbreaks affecting Gauteng schools. As investigations continue, the Gauteng Education Department is working closely with health authorities to identify the source of the contamination and implement measures to prevent future incidents. With food poisoning cases on the rise, ensuring the safety of students has become more critical than ever.
Through heightened vigilance and stricter food safety protocols, schools and authorities must act swiftly to protect learners from these avoidable health risks.
