NMBM trains hawkers to revitilise the face of the CBD
Published: November 18, 2021<< BACK TO NEWS
In line with the City’s plans to redevelop and revitalise the Port Elizabeth Central Business District, scores of street vendors who operate within the City today received intensive training led by the NMBM Public Health Directorate, the training was meant to ensure compliance with food safety regulations.
During the training session held at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, NMBM stakeholders emphasised the need for street vendors to acquire valid trading permits from the City’s Economic Development, Tourism and Agriculture (EDTA) Directorate or the Mandela Bay Development Agency (MBDA) depending on where they operate.
Public Health Deputy Director, Dr Patrick Nodwele said the City was working towards changing the face of the City centre to attract business and tourists again.
"Your sector is very important, you deal with food mostly which is something that can affect thousands of our residents, if food is not handled properly during its preparation it can be a cause for major outbreaks. That is why it was important for us bring all the stakeholders who deal with your sector to engage with you as we go towards the busy festive session. We need to thoroughly train you on what is required of you by the City,” said Dr Nodwele.
"Our City Centre used to look good and we want to bring that beauty back. It should be a good space to do business, to attract businesses and tourists. So we want to revive it again so you can also flourish in your businesses. But as our stakeholders, we can’t do this alone, we need you to play your part in changing the face of our City.”
More than 60 small business owners were trained and urged to pay attention to:
• The cleanliness and hygiene of their working environment
• Practice good hygiene including washing their hands and working areas regularly
• Always wear protective clothing
• Legal and healthy disposal of waste
• By-law and health regulations compliance.
Other stakeholders who attended the training session included the Metro Police, MBDA, SAPS, Traffic Department and Waste Management amongst others.
The Metro Police warned the hawkers to secure valid permits and trade within their designated spots to avoid getting hefty fines.
Small business owner Nonzolo Njokweni who attended the training said: "I learnt a lot today including the importance of being clean myself as a food handler and clean my working environment. I am happy that now I will be on the Municipality’s database through this programme as we were also awarded certificates from this training. This is a first step to ensure that I comply and that I stand a good chance to trade when there are big events around the City. We are very happy that the Municipality has conducted this training for us, we are usually neglected as hawkers.”
Issued by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Communications Office.
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