Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi visited Alra Park in Nigel for the Gauteng Liquor Pledge signing ceremony on August 15.
The pledge signifies the commitment from the Gauteng province to working with the liquor industry and its stakeholders and to ensure legitimate and responsible liquor trading.
Various stakeholders, including the Gauteng Liquor Board, SAPS, NPOs, business organisations, and community members, formed part of the day’s proceedings.
“We are excited about the signing of the pledge, where all liquor stakeholders commit to comply with the Gauteng Liquor Act from the trading point to the distribution, cutting across all areas,” said Cleo Bodibe-Lushaba, the director of client relations management of the Gauteng Liquor Board within the Gauteng Department of Economic Development.
“Today is about committing to compliance and ensuring that as we run our businesses, we are doing it the way it is supposed to be and reducing the negative effect of alcohol by not selling to the prohibited individuals such as those under 18.
“This also commits us to running our businesses responsibly and ensuring that we are not causing problems for our neighbouring businesses and communities.”
Bodibe-Lushaba said the board faced many challenges leading up to the signing of the pledge.
“Community members would complain to us that the liquor traders were making a noise, trading beyond their trading hours and selling alcohol to children under 18.
“With the pledge, we want to ensure the message goes out and that traders should know how to trade responsibly.
“This pledge is also for consumers. Alcohol is potentially harmful. Everyone that chooses to consume alcohol should keep in mind that there are potential risks with consumption and that consumers must also act responsibly while using alcohol.”
Angela Russel from the Drinks Federation of South Africa was satisfied with the day’s events.
“The liquor industry is part of South African history and we are contributors to the economy,” she said.
“We contribute significantly to the social-economic growth and the GDP and the liquor industry employ about half a million people.
“We support the Gauteng Liquor Board in their endeavours and intentions to reduce the harm caused by alcohol misuse and eradicate the illicit and illegal trade of alcohol.”
During his keynote address, Lesufi committed to increasing the number of compliance officers to monitor compliance within the liquor industry.
“We are straightening the industry,” he said.
“I’m told that over 70% of violent crimes, such as gender-based violence, occur after alcohol consumption. We must stand together and say that this is enough. For us, taking this stand is to regulate the industry without eliminating or destroying it.
“We need to regulate it in a manner that will help the nation. We cannot be a nation of drunkards, but we can be a nation of responsible drinkers.”
Lesufi indicated he was thankful for the stakeholders uniting to uphold the newly signed pledge.
“By working together, you will assist us in flushing out those that are selling alcohol illegally,” he said.
“We will no longer tolerate lawlessness in this industry,” Lesufi said.
