SAFM Interview: The hidden social cost of deregulating alcohol sales

DG Murray Trust CEO David Harrison talks to SAFM about how relaxing liquor laws may boost profits, but it will not secure South Africa’s future. This interview follows the publication of his op-ed in the Sunday Times. Read it here.
PowerFM Interview: Why responsible liquor laws are essential for public safety

DG Murray Trust CEO David Harrison talks to PowerFM about how relaxing liquor laws may boost profits, but it will not secure South Africa’s future. This interview follows the publication of his op-ed in the Sunday Times. Read it here.
Radio 702 Interview: How looser liquor laws worsen community harm

DG Murray Trust CEO David Harrison talks to Radio 702 about how relaxing liquor laws may boost profits, but it will not secure South Africa’s future. This interview follows the publication of his op-ed in the Sunday Times. Read it here.
SmileFM Interview: Why deregulating liquor laws harms communities

DG Murray Trust CEO David Harrison talks to SmileFM about how relaxing liquor laws may boost profits, but it will not secure South Africa’s future. This interview follows the publication of his op-ed in the Sunday Times. Read it here.
Op-ed: Easing liquor laws is not a recipe for growth

Among countries that report crime statistics, Jamaica pips South Africa as the murder capital of the world. That is according to the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime, which distinguishes ‘intentional homicides’ from conflict- and terrorism-related deaths. One may question such distinctions in areas of conflict but so-defined, South Africa has the second highest […]
Channel Africa Interview: How industry influence is delaying stricter alcohol laws

New studies show that the South African alcohol industry has used its representation on the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) to delay the liquor amendment bill, which was published by South Africa’s Department of Trade and Industry for public comment in 2016. Kashifa Ancer, who is the campaign manager at Rethink Your Drink, […]
Litigate to advocate

The Learning Lunch podcast explores ideas, approaches and social innovations – creating opportunity for non-profit organisations’ teams to discover what others are learning and space to reflect on what these insights might mean for their own strategy and programme implementation. Download takeaway instructions Strategic litigation is a tactic that involves going to court to promote […]
Op-ed: Human Rights Day – Alcohol harms, political inaction and the urgency for reform

Human Rights Day is a time to reflect on whether the rights enshrined in South Africa’s Constitution are upheld — not just in theory, but in our everyday lives. The right to life and the right to safety are constitutional guarantees. Yet, alcohol overconsumption continues to infringe upon these rights, particularly in underserved, low-income communities […]
Op-ed: Warning labels on boozy drinks aren’t enough to protect women from violence, but it’s a start

Eastern Cape High Court Judge Avinash Govindjee has presided over one too many cases of gender-based violence (GBV) triggered by heavy drinking, and he wants policymakers and the public to see the patterns as clearly as they play out in his courtroom. After ruling on two femicide cases this year, Judge Govindjee sent his judgments […]
Op-ed: Treasury taking bold step to curb harm caused by alcohol

The National Treasury has taken a bold step by reviewing SA’s excise tax policies for alcoholic beverages and considering a pricing mechanism that would increase alcohol prices. The move aims to standardise excise taxes and, most importantly, curb the harm that heavy and binge drinking inflicts on society. Cheap alcohol is known to allow easy […]