The Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance in SA (SAAPA SA) supports President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to extend the ban on alcohol. Director Maurice Smithers explains SAAPA SA has consistently called for effective measures to reduce the country’s levels of alcohol-related harm, but has never suggested that access to alcohol be completely banned. “Nevertheless, we fully …

Despite having quit alcohol, I disagree with a politician I otherwise respect, Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi, who thinks a ban on alcohol should be permanent. A total ban is not a public health solution to addiction. In public comments on social media and elsewhere (for examples, see here and here), Panyaza Lesufi makes it clear that he …

The Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance has urged the presidency to expedite the Liquor Amendment Bill of 2017 that has been stalled despite extensive consultation. The Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance (SAAPA) on Sunday said they wanted government to do more to reduce alcohol-related harm in South Africa. It welcomed the acknowledgement of alcohol abuse …

Under ‘adjusted’ Level 3 restrictions announced on Monday, alcohol sales from retail outlets and onsite consumption are banned. In his address to the nation on Monday evening, President Cyril Ramaphosa cited the consumption of alcohol as one of the drivers for the spike in coronavirus infections in the country. “The consumption of alcohol in restaurants, …

Researchers in the field of alcohol consumption always warn that drinking too much alcohol can have long-term effects on one’s health. Experts say binge drinking is more prevalent during festive events. Some people resort to drinking around this time of the year to celebrate achievements over the year, while others start drinking during the festive …

Industry influence and government spats stalled regulations that could have curbed harmful alcohol use in South Africa nearly a decade ago. The South African government may have been quick to squelch alcohol sales during the COVID-19 epidemic citing the harm caused by drinking, but it continues to take millions from alcohol firms — even after …

In this episode of The Womxn Show, we chat to Aadielah Maker Diedericks from the South African Alcohol Policy Alliance and Onesisa Mtwa from the DG Murray Trust on the links between gender based violence and alcohol.SHOW MORE

Western Cape Liquor Authority has launched a video in three languages to explain how citizens can raise their concerns about any liquor trading. English Xhosa Afrikaans

Alcohol is a legal drug and classified by the International Agency for Research on Alcohol as a group 1 carcinogen linked to 7 cancers, road crashes and interpersonal violence. As a professor of Community Medicine and Health Care at the University of Connecticut, Thomas Barbor has noted, alcohol is, therefore, ‘no ordinary commodity’ and requires …

In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic Southern African leaders are making bold political choices to save the lives of their citizenry. One of these choices relates to the prevention and reduction of alcohol harm in the eight Southern African countries.Aadielah, Maurice and Tunga examine the responses in each of these countries and analyze challenges …