Get the jab, say tavern and shebeen owners

The tavern and shebeen owners were encouraged to do so during a local rally supporting the vaccination drive amid calls to end lockdowns on Tuesday, October 12.

The rally was held at the Village Pub in Mamelodi hosted by the National Liquor Traders (NLT) and the Concerned Tshwane Liquor Traders Association (CTLTA).

Tavern owners have thrown their weight behind the country’s bid to increase vaccination rates, especially among older men as they campaign to prevent any further bans on the sale of alcohol.

Other stakeholders who attended the rally included the Department of Health, Santaco and various business people.

National Liquor Traders convener Lucky Ntimane said the lifting of the alcohol ban has been a huge relief to tavern owners.

“It is helping us to get back on our feet and getting our employees back to work after the devastating restrictions on our trade over the
past year and a half,” said Ntimane.

“There should be no more such bans. Our members have suffered enough. We are therefore urging them to make taverns safe by getting as
many taverns and shebeen permit holders, employees and patrons vaccinated as possible,” Ntimane said.

Oupa Mthombeni of Concerned Tshwane Liquor Traders said, “we are not going to comprise when it comes to compliance with Covid-19 and liquor act compliance”.

“Non-compliant tavern owners – we are coming for you. Compliance is not a request, it’s a must. Open at the right time and close at the right time,” said Mthombeni.

“Most importantly: no alcohol must be sold to underage children.

“Liquor traders need to take charge and lead by example. They should talk to their customers about their daily challenges and stop bribing police officers.”

Gauteng economic development MEC Parks Tau said he was pleased to see liquor traders taking the lead in supporting the vaccination
programme.

“Vaccines offer the best protection against Covid-19. The more people are vaccinated, the lower the risk of another devastating wave of Covid-19 infections,” said Tau.

“Vaccines will help protect our families, our businesses and our jobs.”

Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) CEO Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa said a rapid vaccination rollout was the key to saving lives and rebuilding the economy.

“We have been a key partner with the government in supporting vaccine registration. We’re happy to see liquor traders adding their voices to the call for people to get vaccinated,” Tshivhengwa said.

SA National Taxi Council (Santaco) president Phillip Taaibosch said their industry fully supported the vaccination drive because taxi operators were in constant contact with the public and ran a high risk of exposure to Covid-19.

“Let’s put this pandemic behind us as quickly as possible by all getting vaccinated,” Taaibosch said.

The rally also highlighted the need for maximum compliance to liquor licence conditions and Covid-19 safety protocols as the upcoming holiday season approaches.

Ntimane said it was critical that taverns and shebeens continued to be vigilant and ensure Covid-19 safety and liquor licence compliance.

“As much as we are enjoying the freedom to trade within our liquor licence conditions, we have a responsibility to keep our patrons and communities safe.

“We are grateful to all our partners who ensured that our rally was a success. We want to particularly highlight the role played by South
African Breweries in ensuring that the vaccination drive was a success,” Ntimane said.

At the rally, taverns owners also got vaccinated for Covid-19 and tested for HIV/Aids.