Dear Editor
Yesterday’s inter-ministerial press briefing provided South Africans with more clarity on our country’s action plan to stem the tide of apparent food poisonings that have been affecting children in particular.
No one should fall sick or die from purchasing food from their local store. Horrific stories emerging have shattered hearts across our country, and we have endured enough pain.
To bring these tragedies to an end, we welcome these particular interventions:
- The joint fund to support small businesses will assist in bringing SMMEs into the regulatory space. Through this, we can ensure a national database to monitor the trade of goods;
- Tracing of Terbufos will assist in finding its network within the informal sector, as evidence shows that poisonings cannot be linked to our local manufacturers;
- Efforts to bolster protection of the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) will ensure that schoolchildren, especially those impoverished, continue to be fed healthy and nutritious food for their development.
We note the declaration of a National State of Disaster. Whilst such declarations can result in an overreach of power, the Democratic Alliance will maintain close oversight to ensure it is enforced responsibly, to protect children from harm. This should be our ultimate shared goal at this time.
Please ensure that you follow Government communication channels for accurate and up to date information and report misinformation to the National Helpline at 0800 012 322.
Together, we can keep our children and businesses safe.
Regards
Willie Aucamp MP
DA National Spokesperson
moxie
Bobotie – a spicy mince dish [buh-boor-tee] This delicious dish originated in Malay cooking and is made with spicy minced meat, baked in the oven with an egg custard topping. It is usually served with yellow rice and raisins.
Landfill Max
Fun South African Fact: South African Dr. Christiaan Barnard performed the world’s first heart transplant on 3 December 1967 at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town. The groundbreaking surgery was carried out on Louis Washkansky and Dr. Barnard was assisted by a large and exceptional team of surgeons, nurses and technicians. One of Dr. Barnard’s assistants was Hamilton Naki, a black laboratory assistant who had worked previously as a gardener and went on to work in the animal laboratory at the University of Cape Town. He had assisted Dr Barnard with research leading to the transplant. In the apartheid days, Naki had no access to higher education due to his race. Despite being unable to access formal training, he learned from and assisted university researchers and went on to do unbelievable work.