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 where liquor outlets can outnumber clinics, libraries and schools. To be clear, social drinking may be good for the economy but heavy drinking benefits no one.
We have already seen evidence of how stricter alcohol regulations can reduce harm. In 2020, our government temporarily banned alcohol sales during Covid-19 lockdowns, resulting in a dramatic drop in alcohol-related trauma cases, road fatalities and violent crimes. This was a rare moment where public health and safety were prioritised over commercial interests. Yet, when the bans were lifted, South Africa returned to business as usual and alcohol-related harms surged again.
Revive the Liquor Amendment Bill
The country’s legal framework on alcohol regulation has attempted to balance individual freedoms with public health and safety. The National Liquor Act sets national norms and standards for alcohol distribution, while provincial governments regulate retail sales and micro-manufacturing. On paper, this system appears structured and functional. In practice, however, alcohol-related harms continue to devastate communities while the political will to enact meaningful change is weak.
A glaring example of political inaction is the delayed implementation of the draft Liquor Amendment Bill, first introduced in 2016. The bill proposes raising the legal drinking age from 18 to 21, banning alcohol advertising on public platforms, restricting the density and location of alcohol outlets, especially around schools, to limit accessibility in vulnerable communities, and imposing harsher penalties for non-compliance. These measures are designed to reduce alcohol-related harm, yet nearly a decade later, the bill has not made its way through the legislative process.
Approving the Liquor Amendment Bill is not about restricting freedoms; it’s about safeguarding public health and prioritising community safety for the most vulnerable. Despite knowing that stricter policies save lives, the bill has not been enacted into law. Stricter regulation could lead to a 3.2% to 7.4% reduction in alcohol consumption, which would, in turn, reduce public health costs by R1.9 billion per year. The gains from implementing the bill can free up substantial resources for critical service delivery, such as housing or improving infrastructure in our towns and cities.
Striking the Right Balance
The fact of the matter is that industry interests should not trump lives and public safety. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has shown us that cost-effective, evidence-based strategies can effectively reduce alcohol-related harm without infringing on the rights of the alcohol industry. These include restrictions on alcohol advertising, higher excise taxes, stricter enforcement of age limits and limited liquor trading hours — all policies that have proven successful in other countries.
Community Action: Reclaiming the Right to Safety
While government delays persist, communities can take some matters into their own hands. They can reclaim their neighbourhoods and assert their right to safety and well-being by:
- Challenging liquor licence approvals near schools, churches and healthcare centres to protect vulnerable populations from the easy accessibility of alcohol. Research has shown that high alcohol outlet density contributes to increased violence, underage drinking and risky behaviour.
- Pushing for responsible alcohol sales by reporting outlets selling to minors to curb early exposure to alcohol and its long-term health and social consequences. Enforcing existing laws is a critical step in reducing underage drinking.
- Creating alcohol-free social spaces for young people to provide alternatives that promote healthier lifestyles and reduce the normalisation of binge drinking. If young people see alcohol as the centre of social life, harmful patterns will persist.
- Strengthening community safety patrols to curb alcohol-fuelled violence particularly in areas where intoxication leads to violence and crime. Community-led safety initiatives can serve as immediate interventions while pressuring authorities for stronger enforcement.
The right to safety, health and dignity is non-negotiable. It’s time for South Africans to rethink their relationship to alcohol.
Kashifa Ancer is the campaign manager for Rethink Your Drink, an alcohol harms reduction campaign by DGMT.
City Press originally published this op-ed on 18 March 2025. Access it here.
