While President Cyril Ramaphosa noted that young people are abusing alcohol in South Africa while delivering the January 8 Statement in Bloemfontein yesterday, the Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance in SA (SAAPA SA) is eagerly waiting for government to reveal what exactly they plan to do about reducing alcohol harm in South Africa in 2023. SAAPA SA and …

The Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance in SA (SAAPA SA) will today (22 November) make its presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education on why alcohol does not belong in schools. The inclusion in the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill of a recommendation that liquor be allowed on school premises, and at school …

The South African Council of Churches (SACC:EC) in the Eastern Cape has been offering ongoing support to the families and survivors of the Enyobeni tragedy which rocked the community of Scenery Park and surrounding areas in June this year. The SACC is now concerned that 139 days after the deaths of the 21 young people, …

The deadline for submitting objections to the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill of 2021 is fast approaching – South Africans have until 15 August to make their voices heard. The Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance in SA (SAAPA SA) has noted with concern the inclusion in the BELA Bill of a recommendation that liquor …

In the past few days, President Cyril Ramaphosa has addressed the nation twice on the Enyobeni Tavern tragedy in which 21 East London teenagers died – in his weekly message on Monday and at the mass funeral of the Enyobeni victims on Wednesday. The Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance in SA (SAAPA SA) welcomes his …

The Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance in SA (SAAPA SA) has noted the moves by government to revoke the liquor licence of the Enyobeni Tavern in East London and its decision to criminally charge the owners for selling alcohol to minors. However, we believe this is too little, too late. This cannot be the only …

Child Protection Week 2022 has come and gone, overlapping with the start of Youth Month. Both periods are a time for reflecting on the health, safety and well-being of learners in South Africa. It is also a time to sound a warning about the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill of 2021, specifically with respect …

SAAPA SA appeals to the President to ensure that he makes clear government’s plans to address alcohol harm and reaffirms his party’s commitment to making South Africa alcohol-safer when he delivers his State of the Nation Address (SONA) today. The ANC’s January 8 statement of 2021 was very direct in addressing the issue of the harmful …

In 2022, once again, the excise tax component of the annual Budget Speech has left the Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance in SA (SAAPA SA) with mixed feelings. On the positive side, government didn’t give in to pressure from the alcohol industry which was calling for a zero increase or at least one below the …

The World Health Organisation (WHO) Alcohol Action Plan 2022-2030 will be the new roadmap to guide global action to reduce alcohol-related harm.  African governments will, like others, use this WHO member state sanctioned plan when passing legislation and implementing programmes to reduce alcohol harm. We call on African Ministers of Health and WHO Executive Board …