Mfulamfula – a traditional brew with a dash of oblivion

In the deep hinterland of Maphumulo, way inland of Stanger, it has not taken long for pineapple beer to become a scourge.

When lockdown started five weeks ago, the main concern of the communities in Maphumulo, Esnamfini and KwaLuthuli, where I live, were the loss of jobs, running short of food and other crucial items.

As it turns out, those most affected have been those who drink and smoke.

During the first week, people were sharing every bit of alcohol they had.

Many walked miles to buy alcohol from wherever it was still available.

A friend told me he had paid R250 for a bottle of vodka that normally cost R130.

Because he was desperate he bought the bottle, but he could not enjoy it because the price was too high.

“Every time I took a sip, I felt like I committed a crime. I have never spent so much money on alcohol, ” he said.

It did not take long for every little shebeen and tavern to be sold out, so I thought it would be a while before I saw someone drunk.

Well I was wrong.

Over the past few days I have seen people so drunk they have been unable to walk or talk.

Where had they got the alcohol?

I am told that people are drinking the ‘imfulamfula’ beer (‘river river’) or the traditional pineapple beer.

This is brewed from bread, oats, sugar and pineapples.

Until now, people with jobs avoided it because they could afford better, and it was only the jobless (omahlalela) who used to drink it.

However, the river river has become everyone’s favourite beer and you see people walking with a two litre bottle to a certain house were the bottle is filled up for R25.

The sale of cigarettes was also banned, but out here there are people selling them.

I have no doubt they are counterfeit.

On a more serious note, people are well aware of the situation the country is facing.

There has been no traditional events taking place, community meetings have stopped and there had only been one funeral that I am aware of.

I was told that at that funeral the family insisted on correct social distancing and some residents were even denied access to the funeral venue, which is unknown at traditional funerals.

And of course there are those – especially the young – who can been seen every day wandering on the streets, not knowing where they are going.

Who knows where they will end up?

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