On Friday 27 August, Heineken plans to hand out free zero alcohol ‘beer’ to the public as part of the championing of their ‘National Take a beer to work’ day in South Africa, a day that they themselves invented and launched here in 2019, cynically appropriating patriotism to shape drinking culture. Heineken undertook a similar …

As countries in southern Africa decrease restrictions on the sale of alcohol, the question that should be asked is, do we want to see and experience a permanent change in how alcohol is sold and consumed in our communities and country?  This question should be asked by politicians, media workers, civil society organisations working in …

The Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance in SA (SAAPA SA) is concerned about the recent announcement in South Africa that a supermarket chain outlet attached to a petrol station in Johannesburg has been awarded a liquor licence. SAAPA SA calls on all Provincial Liquor Authorities to implement an immediate moratorium on the awarding of all …

It is expected that, government will advise the country on whether the current Level 4 lockdown restrictions will remain in place as we fight the 3rd wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Delta variant in particular. One of the issues under consideration will be whether to continue with the suspension of the sale of alcohol in …

2021 Theme “Share Facts on Drugs, Save Lives” This day comes at the right time when many people in Lesotho especially in Maseru are losing their lives and properties, and cars because of drinking and driving. Why should alcohol abuse be a concern for government? According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) 82% of Basotho …

As the country marks the end of Child Protection Week, it is important to acknowledge the link between harmful drinking and the health and welfare of children. Keeping children safe is everyone’s responsibility all of the time but, from 30 May to 6 June, National Child Protection Week is commemorated in the country to raise …

The Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance in SA (SAAPA SA) cautiously welcomes the changes announced by the President tonight, but we are concerned that he did not announce specific measures targeting the use of alcohol. We also don’t 1believe the extension of the curfew and the limiting of gatherings go far enough – we think …

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 …

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 …

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 …