Geekhub Article: Zero-rating in South Africa – The networks already paid for it, so where is it?
Whenever there’s a suggestion that mobile operators should give something away for free, most South Africans respond with “nice idea, but never going to happen.” Except this time it is not a suggestion. Zero-rating in South Africa is a licence condition, it has a deadline, and the deadline is 15 January 2027. On that date, […]
MEDIA STATEMENT: Deadline looms for mobile network operators to implement their zero-rating obligations
The clock is ticking for South Africa’s major mobile network operators to fulfil their legal obligation of zero-rating information and services that carry social value. Companies like MTN, Vodacom and Cell C have been given until 15 January 2027 to make the digital content of public benefit organisations (PBOs) data-free for users. The zero-rating requirement […]
eNCA Interview: Calls to protect South Africa’s health and wealth
The National Treasury wants to increase alcohol excise taxes and introduce a minimum unit price. But the proposal has drawn criticism from the alcohol industry. DG Murray Trust CEO David Harrison spoke to eNCA. He argued that South Africa cannot continue to frame economic growth and public health as opposing goals, noting that heavy drinking […]
Cape Talk Interview: The case for higher alcohol taxes
David Harrison, DGMT CEO, spoke to Cape Talk about National Treasury’s proposed alcohol tax increases and whether stronger liquor regulation can deliver better outcomes for both public health and the economy. Building on his Daily Maverick op-ed, he made the case that heavy drinking is a drag on the economy rather than an engine of […]
Channel Africa Interview: Counting the real cost of a drink
National Treasury’s plan to increase alcohol excise taxes and bring in a minimum unit price has run into predictable resistance from the alcohol industry. Speaking to Channel Africa, DGMT CEO David Harrison pushed back on the framing itself, arguing that South Africa cannot keep treating economic growth and public health as opposing goals when heavy […]
SAFM Interview: Heavy drinking costs South Africa more than the alcohol industry gives back
The National Treasury wants to increase alcohol excise taxes and introduce a minimum unit price. But the proposal has drawn criticism from the alcohol industry. DG Murray Trust CEO David Harrison spoke to SAFM. He argued that South Africa cannot continue to frame economic growth and public health as opposing goals, noting that heavy drinking […]
Media Statement: #WasteNot competition sheds light on the link between environmental health and child health
A new national competition is drawing much-needed public awareness to how the environments children grow up in shape their health and development. #WasteNot encourages the public to get creative about reducing, reusing and recycling. It’s a collaboration between Create Change — an initiative of the DG Murray Trust (DGMT) and Hold My Hand — a […]
Daily Maverick Article: A sober appraisal — why raising alcohol taxes protects SA’s health and wealth
The National Treasury has proposed increasing excise taxes and introducing a minimum unit price for alcohol. In response, industry bodies have released a flurry of articles through business media, arguing that such changes will encourage illicit trade, reduce tax revenues and worsen unemployment – and corporate leaders are bound to be targeted even more over […]
DGMT supports the National Strategy to Accelerate Action for Children
DGMT’s strategy for helping South Africa escape the inequality trap is built around the same priorities set out in the National Strategy to Accelerate Action for Children (NSAAC) and we are working to weave them into everything we do. Escaping the inequality trap involves changing a child’s life trajectory. A child who is nurtured, eats […]
SAFM Interview: Where a child grows up shapes their future
On 21 July 2026, DGMT — with Change Ideas and the Hold My Hand campaign — hosted the inaugural Metro Lives public dialogue at the Homecoming Centre in District Six, Cape Town. Metro Lives was created to open up a public conversation about how South Africa’s cities and municipalities can build better lives for children, […]