Tavern owners welcome decision to lift alcohol ban
“The President has offered small businesses a glimmer of hope; although it may be too little too late for some."
Soshanguve tavern owners have welcomed the announcement made by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday, to lift the alcohol ban.
Ramaphosa said the sale of alcohol for off-site consumption was to be permitted from Monday to Thursday, from 10:00-18:00.
He said micro-breweries would be allowed to sell alcohol for off-site consumption during their licensed operating hours and restaurants will be permitted to sell alcohol for on-site consumption from 10:00-22:00.
Liquor trader Joy Kunutu said the decision was a relief to her family as they have been struggling financially since the alcohol ban was initiated in December.
“We were now struggling with food. We were also starting to worry about how we are going to pay school fees for the children as they are going to be reopening soon.”
Kunutu said they are going to do everything in their power to make sure that all the regulations are in order before they can do their grand opening on Friday.
“We are deep-cleaning the place. We want to make sure that the seating allows for social distancing and that all the people that will be coming are sanitised.”
Kunutu said she feared that she would lose her business and the livelihood of her family if the country experienced a third wave and the alcohol ban was reinstated.
“I think that would be the death of my business because this time around we were even starting to use the money for stock for household needs. If we do go to another hard lockdown, that would be the end of my business.”
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A bottle store owner in Soshanguve Ben Manamela said his family has welcomed the decision.
“It is now up to the owners of establishments to enforce all the regulations that have been put for them to operate and it is also up to all alcohol consumers in general to behave. It has been a difficult time for everyone involved in the alcohol industry as I have also had to let go of staff.
“The impact of the alcohol ban has seen a lot of families lose their livelihoods. I do not know what would happen if the country can go to another hard lockdown.”
The Beer Association of South Africa welcomed the decision to lift the alcohol ban following multiple pleas made to the government for urgent intervention in order to ensure both the survival of the industry, as well as the survival of small businesses and craft breweries, who found themselves on the brink of closure.
“While these restrictions still limit the beer sector’s recovery, we are relieved to be able to begin trading again. While there is no guarantee that our craft brewers will recover, the president has offered small businesses a glimmer of hope – although it may be too little too late for some,” the society said.
“The situation faced by small business owners and craft brewers remains dire – the last two alcohol bans had a devastating impact on the beer industry, with an estimated 7 400 jobs lost, R14.2-billion in lost sales revenue and more than a R7.8-billion loss in taxes and excise duties.
“Survey results from the Craft Brewer’s Association of South Africa indicate that 87.5% of craft brewers are still at risk of permanent closure – and with zero targeted relief from government, this will likely become a reality.”
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