South Africa lifts ban on alcohol as SAB assures on responsible drinking
South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa, has announced lifting of ban on alcohol sales with effect from Monday, August 17, 2020.
The lifting of the alcohol ban contained in the president’s nationwide address Saturday night brought to an end months long ban that threatened thousands of jobs and multi-million dollar investments.
The National Coronavirus Command Council had placed ban on the sale of alcohol to reduce pressure on the country’s health facilities as a consequence of alcohol consumption and to curb the spread of Coronavirus.
The new regime of alcohol sales, according to the president, would run from 9am and 5pm at liquor stores from Monday to Thursday and up to 10pm on alcohol consumption sites like restaurants and pubs.
South Africa Breweries (SAB), in a Statement, by its Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Zoleka Lisa, while commending government announcement as a welcome development, expressed its commitment to the economic recovery of the sector and to support government efforts to contain the spread of the virus.
“Lifting of the prohibition on the sale of alcohol will come as a welcome relief for our business and industry, and the million livelihoods who depend on us.
“We fully understand that the situation requires vigilance and adherence to Covid-19 safety protocols, and we want to reassure our partners in government that we remain committed to supporting the national effort to curb the spread of this virus.
“We acknowledge and appreciate the balancing act between managing lives and livelihoods.
“We are looking forward to reinitiating the process of job creation and responsible growth for the industry, with an ultimate objective of returning confidence to ensure sustainability for all these livelihoods,” said Lisa.
He continued: “Our beers are to be enjoyed moderately and responsibly and therefore we do not condone reckless behaviour of any kind, especially as we fight to contain the spread of this virus.
“SAB, along with the rest of the alcohol industry, has come together to affirm its commitment to partnering with the government to create a social compact for driving positive behavioural change regarding the use and consumption of alcohol.
“We are hopeful that this is the beginning of a new era for the industry’s partnership with government and in the spirit of inclusiveness, we can ensure a positive and beneficial impact for all stakeholders into the future.”
While calling on alcohol consumers to enjoy their choice drinks “moderately” and “responsibly” Lisa enjoined all stakeholders to join hands in defeat Coronavirus pandemic devastating economic effect by ensuring a more sustainable and inclusive economic growth path that guarantees security of millions of South African jobs whose livelihoods depended on the sector.
It will be recalled that the imposition of strict restriction on alcohol sales and consumption led to cancellation of planned investment worth about 5 billion rand ($290 million) by SAB, owned by the world’s largest brewer Anheuser-Busch InBev. The company said it had canceled 2.5 billion rand-planned expenditure for the current financial year, while the other half for the next financial year remains under review.
Also, South African arm of Heineken has also dropped plans of building a 6 billion rand brewery in KwaZulu-Natal.
Bars, restaurants, and taverns were also affected by the ban as most of them closed shops leading to loss of thousands of jobs.
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