More than 220 Eastern Cape tavern and shebeen owners have signed a pledge to curb the misuse and abuse of alcohol as part of a campaign by the liquor industry regulator.
The Industry Association for Responsible Alcohol Use’s (ARA’s) campaign includes moves to cut down on alcohol abuse by pregnant women and under-age children.
Speaking at an imbizo in East London this week, ARA chief executive Osborn Mahanjana said the association wanted manufacturers, retailers and tavern and shebeen owners on board its campaign.
“Drinking excessively leads to risky behaviour and violence,” Mahanjana told the 226 tavern and shebeen owners at the event.
“One of the risk factors for HIV/Aids is alcohol abuse. This is not acceptable so we need to look at ways to curb alcohol abuse, partnering with you, the SA Leisure Tourism and Hospitality Association (Saltha) and the government.”
ARA members include alcohol manufacturers such as South African Breweries (SAB), Heineken, Distell, Brandhouse and all the wine groups and spirit groups. Retail groups such as Massmart, Spar Tops and Pick n Pay are also members.
The ARA imbizo was hosted jointly with the National African Federated Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Nafcoc) and was attended by Nafcoc Eastern Cape chairman Phumzile Ndendela and members of the Nafcoc Eastern Cape executive Chwayita Zituta and Mercy Mini. Also present were representatives from the South African Revenue Services, and Saltha.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), South Africa has the highest rate of alcohol consumption (11 litres) per capita per year among African countries. In other African countries the average was 6.3 litres per capita per year. By comparison, the European annual average was 10.9 litres per capita, Mahanjana said.
“Selling alcohol to under-age children is not right. Especially to those who are in uniform. We want you to sign the pledge not to sell alcohol to children under 18 years of age. Women who drink while pregnant risk Foetal Alcohol Syndrome, which affects the brain and is not curable when the damage is done,” said Mahanjana, who qualified as a medical doctor.
He told the Dispatch that all 226 Eastern Cape tavern and shebeen owners at the event on Tuesday had signed the pledge.
Mahanjana said by the end of the year, the ARA expected to implement a code to restrict alcohol advertising as an alternative proposal to the total ban on alcohol advertising the government had put forward.
A total ban, according to a study done by Econometrix and commissioned by the ARA, would result in the loss of nearly 12000 jobs, a R4.38-billion net loss in advertising and sponsorships, while the country's gross domestic product would fall by R7.40-billion, he said.
The proposed code, dubbed the “ARA Code of Commercial Communication”, would restrict manufacturers such as SAB from using characters such as “Vuyo”, sports stars and celebrities in alcohol adverts. “Alcohol manufacturers such as SAB, Heineken, Brand House made commitments to the whole world and the WHO, to say by 2017 they would have reduced under-age drinking. They have committed to come up with a strict marketing code,” said Mahanjana. Questions sent to SAB had not been responded to at the time of writing.
Judy Doni said she signed the pledge on behalf of Gebane Taverns based in Ilitha near King William’s Town. “Signing the pledge is the right thing to do. It’s important for taverns to be regulated.” — siyam@dispatch.co.za
Over 200 taverners in anti-abuse pledge
The Industry Association for Responsible Alcohol Use’s (ARA’s) campaign includes moves to cut down on alcohol abuse by pregnant women and under-age children.
Speaking at an imbizo in East London this week, ARA chief executive Osborn Mahanjana said the association wanted manufacturers, retailers and tavern and shebeen owners on board its campaign.
“Drinking excessively leads to risky behaviour and violence,” Mahanjana told the 226 tavern and shebeen owners at the event.
“One of the risk factors for HIV/Aids is alcohol abuse. This is not acceptable so we need to look at ways to curb alcohol abuse, partnering with you, the SA Leisure Tourism and Hospitality Association (Saltha) and the government.”
ARA members include alcohol manufacturers such as South African Breweries (SAB), Heineken, Distell, Brandhouse and all the wine groups and spirit groups. Retail groups such as Massmart, Spar Tops and Pick n Pay are also members.
The ARA imbizo was hosted jointly with the National African Federated Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Nafcoc) and was attended by Nafcoc Eastern Cape chairman Phumzile Ndendela and members of the Nafcoc Eastern Cape executive Chwayita Zituta and Mercy Mini. Also present were representatives from the South African Revenue Services, and Saltha.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), South Africa has the highest rate of alcohol consumption (11 litres) per capita per year among African countries. In other African countries the average was 6.3 litres per capita per year. By comparison, the European annual average was 10.9 litres per capita, Mahanjana said.
“Selling alcohol to under-age children is not right. Especially to those who are in uniform. We want you to sign the pledge not to sell alcohol to children under 18 years of age. Women who drink while pregnant risk Foetal Alcohol Syndrome, which affects the brain and is not curable when the damage is done,” said Mahanjana, who qualified as a medical doctor.
He told the Dispatch that all 226 Eastern Cape tavern and shebeen owners at the event on Tuesday had signed the pledge.
Mahanjana said by the end of the year, the ARA expected to implement a code to restrict alcohol advertising as an alternative proposal to the total ban on alcohol advertising the government had put forward.
A total ban, according to a study done by Econometrix and commissioned by the ARA, would result in the loss of nearly 12000 jobs, a R4.38-billion net loss in advertising and sponsorships, while the country's gross domestic product would fall by R7.40-billion, he said.
The proposed code, dubbed the “ARA Code of Commercial Communication”, would restrict manufacturers such as SAB from using characters such as “Vuyo”, sports stars and celebrities in alcohol adverts. “Alcohol manufacturers such as SAB, Heineken, Brand House made commitments to the whole world and the WHO, to say by 2017 they would have reduced under-age drinking. They have committed to come up with a strict marketing code,” said Mahanjana. Questions sent to SAB had not been responded to at the time of writing.
Judy Doni said she signed the pledge on behalf of Gebane Taverns based in Ilitha near King William’s Town. “Signing the pledge is the right thing to do. It’s important for taverns to be regulated.” — siyam@dispatch.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos