The alcohol industry has expressed relief after president Cyril Ramaphosa lifted the last remaining trade restrictions on alcohol sales for off-site consumption, estimated to have cost the industry revenue of about R36.3 billion.
During his televised address last night (Thursday, 30 September), Ramaphosa moved the country’s Covid-19 lockdown from adjusted alert level 2 to adjusted alert level 1.
This means that the sale of alcohol – for both off-site and on-site consumption – is now permitted on all normal-licence days. However, no alcohol may be sold after 23:00.
Furthermore, the curfew has changed and now runs from midnight to 04:00 the following morning.
Non-essential establishments like restaurants, bars and fitness centres, the president said, will need to close by 23:00. This is to allow their employees and patrons to travel home before the start of the curfew.
First to welcome the return to normal liquor licensing sales regulations, was the South African Liquor Brandowners Association (SALBA).
According to SALBA chairperson Sibani Mngadi, “Government has finally shown its understanding for the sector’s dire plight by lifting the irrational restrictions on the sale of alcohol from retail outlets for off-site consumption on weekends.”
Mngadi pointed out that according to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), the national seven-day moving average for Covid-19 cases, test positivity rate and the testing rate, are all on the decline.
“Nationally, we have exited the third wave according to the current definition,” the NICD stated.
SALBA also said the restrictions had encouraged the illicit alcohol industry and further damaged the legitimate enterprises struggling under the weight of the measures. It had also damaged the supply chain.
According to SALBA CEO Kurt Moore the country is facing record unemployment levels with total employment in South Africa decreasing from just over 9.6 million in March 2021 to just over 9.5 million in June 2021.
“We need to curb further economic losses and start to return the economy to some level of normality. The alcohol bans have caused extensive job losses and income cuts within the alcohol value chain.”
Existing evidence, Moore pointed out, indicated that the poor and those at the lower end of earnings distribution had been disproportionately affected by the economic backlash of the pandemic, mainly among labourers, warehouse and retail staff.
The alcohol industry further reiterated its support for public education and awareness efforts to encourage vaccination and behaviour that prevents infections. This included social distancing, wearing masks and regular use of sanitisers.
SALBA has urged government to work with business to define a clear and detailed path to economic recovery.
ALSO READ: Alcohol ban: Govt. flouts expert advice once more
CapeWine event postponed to 2022
A new date has been unveiled for Mzansi’s flagship wine show, CapeWine. According to Wines of South Africa (WoSA), the next edition of the wine event will take place from 5 to 7 October 2022 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).
The 2021 event, which was due to be hosted this year as it usually takes place on a 3-year cycle, had to be postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, they are readying themselves, along with the rest of the wine industry, to open its doors and welcome the wine industry fraternity from across the globe.
WoSA Chief executive officer, Siobhan Thompson, explains, “It was a difficult decision to make at the time, but now we know that it was the right one. South Africa’s vaccine rollout is gaining momentum and we feel positive and excited that by October next year, we will be ready to roll out the red carpet for our wine trade guests.”
The event, which is expected to be hosted under the theme “Sustainability 360”, promises to wow trade and media visitors with the elements that make Mzansi’s wine industry unique and enticing.
The “Sustainability 360” theme ties into the overarching focus of the wider South African wine industry and the aim is to roll this out by impressing the importance of three pillars: place, people and prosperity.
These pillars, organisers explained, are what makes for a successful and sustainable industry both now and well into the future, for generations to come, and each element of CapeWine will speak to this.
4 000 indigenous trees planted
A new beginning of growth awaits the agricultural town of Vryburg in the North West province after 4 000 indigenous trees were planted in the area yesterday (Thursday, 30 September).
The tree-planting ceremony was led by deputy minister of forestry, fisheries and the environment Makhotso Sotyu and formed part of government’s commitment to plant 10 million trees over a period of five years in South Africa.
Sotyu engaged with the leadership of the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati district municipality and all local municipalities in the district. She discussed matters related to climate change, the importance of effective forest management, resilience and readiness for climate-related natural disasters.
According to Albi Modisi, spokesperson for the department, tree-planting in Vryburg forms part of the annual national Arbour Month campaign coordinated by their department.
“Trees not only enhance biodiversity and address food security, but, most importantly, mitigate the harmful impacts of climate change,” Modisi states.
The campaign, which is held in partnership with total South Africa, was coordinated under the theme “Forest Restoration: A path to recovery and well-being”. This, Modisi explains, signifies the importance of protecting and conserving the country’s biodiversity as the backbone of our economy and livelihoods.
ALSO READ: This week’s agri events: 27 September – 3 October
Sign up for Mzansi Today: Your daily take on the news and happenings from the agriculture value chain.
