15 July 2025 Media Release: GRDM Environmental Health Practitioners Conducted Health Inspections at Oudtshoorn Recreation Grounds During SAMCA Nationals
Media Release: GRDM Environmental Health Practitioners Conducted Health Inspections at Oudtshoorn Recreation Grounds During SAMCA Nationals
15 July 2025
The SAMCA Nationals 2025 was hosted in Oudtshoorn at the Recreations Grounds until 12 July 2025. With athletes from across South Africa, the town’s Recreational Grounds transformed into a national stage for majorette and cheerleading excellence, with participants from provinces such as Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, the Free State, and the Western Cape. After the Nationals, standout athletes will go on to represent South Africa at international events such as the Majorette World Cup.
Since the Municipal Health Services function is defined in the National Health Act, 2003, and includes key performance areas such as Food Control, Solid Waste Management, and Health Surveillance of Premises, the Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) from the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) once again conducted inspections at the SAMCA National event food stalls to ensure compliance with Regulation No. 638 of 22 June 2018.
During the event, EHPs from the Klein Karoo Regional office conducted daily routine inspections at food stalls. EHPs also provided food hygiene education to food handlers during these inspections. This helps ensure that all food stored, handled, and prepared at food stalls is safe, wholesome, and fit for human consumption, while also meeting the applicable quality and safety standards prescribed by legislation.
Additionally, the EHP team carries out inspections and monitors public toilets, wastewater disposal systems, and refuse disposal and removal. They also ensure compliance with regulations relating to smoking in public places and certain outdoor public areas.
What are the Hygiene Guidelines for Food Stalls?
- Every food stall owner must be in possession of a Certificate of Acceptability (COA) in terms of R638 of 22 June 2018.
- The COA must be available at the food stall and be visible to the public.
- People working on the premises must be properly trained in food hygiene.
- Suitable protective clothing, which includes a full-length apron and head covering, must be worn by all food handlers.
- Proper facilities must be provided for the storage of perishable foodstuffs at temperatures under 5°C for cold food and above 65° for warm food.
- All working surfaces must be made of smooth, dust free, non-absorbent and washable material.
- Cover and protect all foodstuffs from contamination by dust and insects.
- Smoking in food stall is prohibited.
- Keep a bucket or bowl with water, soap and preferable paper towels at hand for the wash and drying of hands.
- A dustbin with a tight lid must be available for use at all times.
- Animals may not be allowed in the food stall.
- If the natural ground surface of the premises is dusty, it must be covered with a dustproof, washable ground sheet.
- All pre-packed food must be properly labelled. (Foodstuffs and Cosmetic and Disinfected Act, 1972) (Act no 54 of 1972). Provision must be made for the collection and storage of wastewater until disposal thereof.
- The stall / premises where food is handled, must always be kept clean and in a hygienic condition.
- Smoking in or near food stalls is prohibited and is only allowed in designated smoking area.
For any further information, please contact GRDM Klein Karoo Region Municipal Health Services:
Mr. Francois Koelman (acting)
Chief: Municipal Health (Klein Karoo)
Tel: 044 272 2241
Cell: 076 258 8960
Mr. Johan Compion
Senior Manager: Municipal Health Services, Waste Management and Air Quality Control
jcompion@gardenroute.gov.za