According to official figures, 55 568 South Africans have died of COVID-19 to date. It is easy to read this statistic and not see the people, the communities, the families impacted by the loss of one or more loved ones. As South Africa braces itself to withstand the third wave of COVID-19 infections, saving lives …

The Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance in SA (SAAPA SA) is calling on the government to restricts liquor sales and the advertising thereof. This is according to a statement that the alliance issued on Monday. “SAAPA SA urges government to respond to the threatening third wave of the pandemic by strengthening the current restrictions on …

Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize has warned that new restrictions are inevitable as the country approaches its third wave of COVID-19 infections.  The number of positive COVID-19 cases in the country has increased with the Free State and Gauteng now effectively experiencing a third wave. On 15 May, South Africa recorded 2 750 new infections …

WE HAVE just celebrated 27 years of democracy in South Africa. But how do we assess the past 27 years in terms of what they have delivered to postapartheid South Africa? For the Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance in SA SAAPA SA , there are two particular areas that need to be interrogated in what …

Data analyst and MD of Silver Fox Consulting Ian McGorianm says the intention is to bring another voice to the table. In the past week liquor manufacturing giant Distell has come under fire after it released a new report which, scientists say, underplays the role of alcohol in trauma cases in South Africa. The new …

With President Cyril Ramaphosa expected to address the nation ahead of the Easter weekend, speculation is rife as to what measures his administration will put in place to curb a possible increase in Covid-19 infections. Talks around Ramaphosa’s address began last week as the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) wrapped up discussions about how best …

President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to make an announcement soon on what measures will be implemented to curb infections, with many speculating that a liquor ban is on the cards. The liquor industry has said while they were open to the amendment of restrictions to save lives; they cannot afford, nor will they accept another …

The Alcohol Industry, in particular, Maluti Mountain Brewery (MMB) says, hundreds of jobs are on the line if the government implements the 15 percent alcohol levy recommended by Finance Minister Moeketsi Majoro now Prime Minister in his 2020/21 budget speech. Dr Majoro said the levy on alcohol and tobacco would boost government revenues by at …

The Covid-19 pandemic might have caused widespread devastation for South Africans from all walks of life but for Daniel Campbell (not his real name) the novel coronavirus presented him with the perfect opportunity to kick his excessive drinking habits. “I am ashamed to admit this but I would drink about five days a week and …