BUFFALO CITY METRO

Empowers foreign national shop owners

On Thursday, 16 November 2023, the Buffalo City’s Municipal Health Services held an empowerment workshop at the Gonubie Resort with the goal of educating, empowering, and supporting the community of foreign nationals. This is the City’s attempt at a different approach in addressing issues pertaining to foreign-owned businesses and spazas.

In order to maintain environmental and health regulations, the workshop encouraged foreign nationals to comply with Municipal bylaws by ensuring that they have:

• cleaning materials

• fire extinguisher

• refuse area

• ablution facilities

• storage place

• changing area with storage for clothes

• refuse container with a lid

• preparation space, and

• wash hand basin with soap and water

Giving his welcome address at the workshop, BCMM Acting General Manager for Municipal Health Services Luyanda Madikizela said: “Our responsibility as the Municipal Health Services is to ensure that we do raid operations not to harm but to enhance safety and health for our residents and to combat non-compliant businesses."

Addressing the audience about the purpose of the day, Portfolio Head for Public Safety and Protection Services Councillor Helen Neale-May said: “As public safety, we must work hand-in-hand in making sure there is compliance. Not only do we help to keep our citizens of Buffalo City safe but we also police our bylaws and make sure there is compliance when it comes to operating small businesses."

“These workshops are continuous and rolled over as part of health awareness and compliance,” she added.

The day culminated with a Q&A session for the City and foreign nationals to gain in-depth understanding and insights of Municipal bylaws.

Stakeholders involved

Various stakeholders who were part of the workshop include; Department of Home Affairs in the Immigration Unit, South African Revenue Services (SARS), Fire Services, Law Enforcement, Shelf Company Warehouse that deals with business registration, and Occupational Health Services Requirements (OHS).