The Informal Traders Food Safety Project, led by Dr Mpou Manyatsa and Dr Trishka Pillay within the Department of Environmental Health at Mangosuthu University of Technology, continues to gain traction. The project has recently welcomed the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, along with eThekwini’s Vector Control and Food Control Divisions, as key stakeholders. The new partners will provide critical expertise in pest infestation management and address the growing concern around the illegal sale of pesticides within informal trading environments, further strengthening the project’s impact and reach.
Dr Manyatsa said that the involvement of the new stakeholders marks a significant expansion of the initiative, which is dedicated to equipping students with the knowledge and tools to train informal traders, particularly those selling ready-to-eat foods.
Supported by eThekwini Environmental Health and Small Business Support divisions, the project is formally registered under the Community Engagement and Development at Mangosuthu University of Technology. Now in its sixth year, Dr Manyatsa said the initiative has established itself as a vital contributor to public health and informal sector empowerment.