One of the mandated functions of the Cape Winelands District Municipality (CWDM), carried out through its Municipal Health Services (MHS) division, is to ensure that all food consumed by residents and visitors in the Cape Winelands — from production to table — is safe for consumption by enforcing food hygiene regulations. Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) conduct inspections at production plants, supermarkets (large and small), restaurants, food trucks, and even farmers’ markets to ensure that manufacturers and vendors follow proper food safety guidelines.
EHPs, statutorily referred to as Inspectors and or Health Officers, also monitor water quality, environmental pollution control as part of the nine key functional areas of Municipal Health Services. One of these areas is health education. This year, the division is focusing on training spaza shop owners to help ensure that the products they sell are safe.
“Spaza shops are a vital link to consumable goods in remote communities where access to food and other items may be limited. These shops not only provide owners and their families with an income but also often create employment opportunities for others. Ensuring that products are stored and handled correctly before being sold is therefore vital to the health of the community,” says Executive Mayor of the CWDM, Ald. (Dr) Elna von Schlicht.
For this reason, EHPs in the Cape Winelands will be offering free training to spaza shop owners during September and October. The training covers a wide range of topics, including:
- Food handling and hygiene
- Municipal requirements for shops
- Certification and inspections
- Safe storage and temperature control
- Labelling of prepacked foods and snacks
The training is free of charge, and spaza shop owners simply need to call or email their local EHP to book a seat.
The first training sessions will take place in Ceres and Robertson on 17 September 2025, followed by sessions in the Breede Valley and Paarl during October.
WITZENBERG
INFO: Theresa Davids – 083 959 4810
Book your seat: theresa@capewinelands.gov.za
Dates and Venue:
- Wednesday, 17 September 2025 | 10:00 – 14:00 | Ceres Town Hall, Voortrekker Street, Ceres
