ARTICLE

Aphilile Dolwana
Oct 14, 2025
1 min read

15 August 2025

Over 130 Learners Hospitalised After Suspected Food Poisoning in Mthatha

By Aphilile Dolwana

Over one hundred and thirty learners from Gobizizwe Agricultural School near Mthatha were rushed to hospital this week after a suspected case of food poisoning.

The incident happened on Wednesday 13 August 2025 shortly after lunch was served. Learners had been given rice and tinned fish as part of the school’s nutrition programme. Soon after eating, many children reported stomach cramps, vomiting, nausea, dizziness, and in some cases, seizures.

The Eastern Cape Department of Health says emergency medical services responded quickly. Seven ambulances, three patient transport vehicles, three rescue vehicles, and a helicopter were deployed. Learners were taken to Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital, Mthatha Regional Hospital, and Ngangelizwe Community Health Centre.

By Thursday 14 August 2025 afternoon, health officials confirmed that 128 of the 131 learners admitted to hospital had been discharged. Three remain under observation, and their condition is described as stable.

Provincial health spokesperson Siyanda Manana says symptoms strongly point to food poisoning, but the cause has not yet been confirmed. Food samples have been collected, and environmental health inspectors are investigating.

This is the largest such incident recorded at the school. Parents and community members have raised concerns about the safety of food in school feeding programmes. The Health Department says it will release a full report once laboratory tests are complete.

5 Comments

lwaziswazi17

Oct 15, 2025

This is really sad. How does a school serve food that harms its pupils. I pray and hope that the learners will get well and can we please get an update on how they are?

mapipaamahle03

Oct 14, 2025

This is really heartbreaking. School feeding programmes are meant to support learners, not put their lives at risk. I hope the investigation reveals what went wrong and that stronger safety measures are put in place. Children should feel safe eating at school.

Aphilile Dolwana

Replying to

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I completely agree, school feeding programmes should prioritize the health and safety of learners. Hopefully, this incident will raise awareness and lead to stronger safety measures in schools.

Ndumiso Ndumo

What an informative piece, it's amazing how sports reunite communities and create a safe space for the youth.

Thank you, Ndumiso, It’s inspiring to see how sports can bring communities together and create positive spaces for young people. That was exactly the message I wanted to highlight in this piece.