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 …

The Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance SA (SAAPA SA) has noted the decision by Cabinet to move the country from Level 3 to Level 1 and to allow all liquor outlets to operate as normal, subject only to the curfew and the ongoing prohibition on the opening of nightclubs.  This effectively means that we have …

The Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance’s (SAAPA) Namibia liaison officer, Irene Kauzuu has called on the government to increase the legal alcohol consumption age from 18 to 21. Kauzuu made the call during a panel discussion on psychosocial support for HIV and Aids patients and substance addicts held here Monday. The panel also included HIV …

Today organisations and countries across the world observe No Alcohol Day. WHO Afro region will also gather in Johannesburg to deliberate the implementation of the Global Alcohol Strategy of 2010 by countries on the continent. And across the oceans public health advocates and researchers are gathering in Melbourne to share emerging evidence on health outcomes …

The President’s response to the link to alcohol and GBV is a step backward for the country. In 2011 the Inter-ministerial committee on substance abuse accepted international evidence and WHO recommendations on more restrictive legislation of marketing, pricing and retailing as best buys to reduce the harm of alcohol to society and the economy. Education …

Alcohol the “legal” drug that costs South Africa billions The alcohol industry promotes alcohol as an essential element of a desirable lifestyle by using images of young, successful, fun-loving people surrounded by copious amounts of alcohol. None of the adverts talk about the fact that alcohol is a drug (or an addictive substance) that affects …

SAAPA SA urges the government to immediately respond by reviewing the alcohol tax regime so as to reduce alcohol-related harm and its impact on the fiscus, as suggested by Professor Van Walbeek from UCT School of Economics. The increase of 12 cents on beer announced by the Minister of Finance will do little to change …

The stabbing of students at what was a gathering of school learners on Friday in Claremont highlights not only the need for stricter rules governing the awarding of special events licenses but, more importantly, making sure that school organized events are alcohol-free. SAAPA SA calls on the Western Cape Education Department and the Western Cape …