| The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Nomalungelo Gina, MEC for Transport and Community Liaison, Mr Bheki Ntuli and the MEC for Social Development, Ms Nonhlanhla Khoza will lead the KwaZulu-Natal leg of national liquor awareness campaign that will take place in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal from 18-19 December 2019. The purpose of the national campaign is to educate and create awareness amongst the country’s citizens about the adverse effects of alcohol abuse particularly during the festive season. The theme of the campaign is Stay Sober 99. Both Departments of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs and Health and will also participate.
Since the beginning of the campaign in Soshanguve, Pretoria on 28 November 2019 officials from the dti and provincial liquor boards have been visiting taxi ranks, marketplaces, taverns, shebeens and other related liquor outlets to spread the message of responsible alcohol consumption by the citizens, and responsible trading by businesses.
The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Nomalungelo Gina, says the campaign will be used as a platform to convey messages targeted at liquor traders and communities to curb the scourge of excessive liquor drinking.
“The festive season is the time when the many citizens are on holiday having fun. Drinking, particularly during this time of the season, is perceived as a common form of recreation and it is in instances of this nature that we experience high levels of road fatalities due to drink and driving. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that we caution our communities about the dangers of over-indulgence,” says Gina.
According to Gina more often than not liquor traders contravene their licencing conditions during this time of the year by exceeding their trading hours and selling alcohol to minors and to already intoxicated people.
She says it is against this background that we use our information sessions to urge them to act responsibly towards their customers and advise them to trade as per their prescribed conditions of registration,” adds Gina.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe-Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: (012) 394 1650
Mobile: 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
Issued by: The Department of Trade and Industry
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