South African Breweries (SAB) has invested R500m in supporting township and informal economy retailers since 2021, part of its wider strategy to drive inclusive economic development across South Africa.

The milestone was celebrated on August 4 at SAB’s Bryanston offices through the Cheers to Retailers event, recognising the role of small retailers in sustaining South Africa’s beer value chain.

With 95% of SAB’s production inputs sourced locally, the sector contributes 1.4% to national GDP.

Read more: SAB launches SAB Sharp campaign in Bryanston

“Retailers are the backbone of our industry,” said SAB CEO Richard Rivett-Carnac. “They create jobs, stimulate township economies, and build community networks.”

Rivett-Carnac added that, as they mark 130 years of SAB, this is about honouring those who have helped build them from the ground up.

Gauteng chief director for economic development Crezelda Venter praised the role of informal businesses in job creation and resilience. “These are not just shops; they are grassroot drivers of innovation, adapting to load-shedding, using digital tools, and responding to community needs.”

Venter added that SAB’s investment focuses on infrastructure support, compliance training, and business development through its SAB sharp platform. “The responsible trading programme, part of this initiative, has trained and accredited over 32 000 retailers under a tiered system: silver (regulatory compliance), gold (responsible sales practices), and platinum (community safety champions).”

She pointed out that retailers, like Lungile Gama, who’s been with SAB for over three decades, are examples of this transformation.

Gama said, as she collected her award: “My tavern was informal and basic, but with SAB’s help, I have built a compliant, job-creating business that’s a cornerstone of my neighbourhood.”

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