Up to the 1960's it was illegal for an African person to purchase "western- style" liquor while coloured and persons of Asian descent were only entitled to purchase two or three bottles of liquor per month. Obviously no black person could obtain a liquor licence. The reasonable demands by black persons for entertainment and access to liquor could not be met through lawful means, resulting in a proliferation of unlicensed outlets that to this day still trade in residential areas.
At a stage the local authorities used the sale of liquor in officially sanctioned beer halls as a means to raise revenue and the beer halls bore much of the brunt of the communities' anger in the resistance against apartheid.
Today approximately eighty percent of the liquor trade remains unlicensed. It is estimated that there are between twenty and thirty thousand shebeens in the Western Cape. By contrast there are approximately five thousand licensed establishments in the Western Cape, almost all of these are in the formerly white areas and the central business districts of urban areas and include wine farms, hotels, restaurants and bottle stores.
As the Government of the Western Cape we are aware of this sad past. But we are also aware that the liquor industry, while holding great economic empowerment potential, can be detrimental to a communities well-being.
The liquor policy that the Western Cape cabinet recently passed reflects five basic concerns. The first concern is the economic imperative that takes into account the interests of the liquor and tourism industries. The wine and the tourism industries are major contributors to the economy of the Western Cape. Both these industries have been growth industries over a number of years and provide jobs and sources of income for the inhabitants of the province.
A large number of black entrepreneurs are involved in the liquor trade and provision must be made for capacity building amongst the new entrants into the licensed trade. This includes training and access to opportunities.
The second concern revolves around the requirements of planning legislation. The location of a large number of unlicensed outlets in residential areas, to the detriment of the residents of the area, is one of the deterrents presently experienced in the licensing of the outlets. In drafting a new liquor policy the drafters had to consider and revise the current processes in obtaining the correct land use rights to trade in liquor by new entrants.
Consideration must be given to the location of licensed premises in areas where the reasonable demands for the purchase of liquor is met while maintaining the nature of the area in accordance with the interests of the residents thereof.
The third concern is to ensure the involvement of the community in the licensing process. Adequate notice of applications and a say in determining the location of outlets is necessary. The present system has been inadequate, with licences being granted without the affected community having been informed of the applications.
Only in instances where the community-based organizations have been actively monitoring license applications has there been sufficient public involvement in the licensing process. Future legislation will ensure that the neighbours and the community are advised of applications to ensure that licences are granted with the input of the affected persons.
The fourth concern relates to the enforcement of liquor legislation to address the association of the sale of liquor with crime. The unlicensed nature of the majority of the liquor trade has lent itself to the involvement of organized crime in the liquor trade. This ranges from the unlicensed sale of liquor from unsuitable premises to the involvement of gangs, protection rackets at nightclubs and violent crimes, such as rape and murder.
While the unlicensed traders are to be encouraged to come into the fold, stringent measures must be put in place to make sure that the criminal element is not legalized. The association of liquor abuse with crime and anti-social behaviour is also well known.
A pro-active approach of education of the sellers and users of liquor and general education of the public of the dangers of abuse is a must. Enforcement agencies need to be provided with every assistance to ensure that the spirit and letter of the law is adhered to.
The last concern is one of the most important. The negative social impact of the abuse of liquor, particularly amongst vulnerable groups such as the youth and expectant mothers, is of utmost concern.
It is well known that the Western Cape has the highest occurrence of foetal alcohol syndrome in the world. While the tot system has been prohibited for a number of years, farm workers and the poor in rural areas are still amongst the most vulnerable when it comes to the provision of liquor. The provision of liquor in certain packaging that lends itself to abuse as well as concoctions have also been identified as problems.
The policy and legislation will ensure that abusive practices are identified and a system of providing for counter measures is provided. The policy must provide for the ability to monitor patterns of drinking and identify problem areas in time to ensure that measures may be taken to inhibit the abuse of liquor. The liquor policy will be a balance between the economic advantages provided by the liquor industry and measures to minimize the negative social consequences associated with the abuse of liquor.
That is why I welcome this project by SAB to offer business training to tavern and shebeen owners. The only way to counter the negative aspects of liquor trade is if you owners, care for your communities. I believe that this course goes a long way in ensuring that this happens.
I also wish to congratulate the graduates, best of luck, and don't forget to file liquor licence applications. Thank You.
