NTHA COLUMN

NTHA HAS DONE IT AGAIN

A recent workshop on substance abuse has proven to be a huge success!

The Gauteng Substance Abuse Movement campaign, partnering with both the department of economic development and the department of social development, developed a workshop on substance abuse, which proved hugely successful to the traders and community at large. The workshop, which was held at the Chief’s House in Meadowlands and was well attended, clearly addressed issues of importance to community members. Thanks go to radio station Jozi FM and the executive members of the National Tourism Hospitality Association (NTHA), who made it possible to invite liquor traders as well as the broader community. The free workshop also offered start up/preparation assistance for a summit that was held in Eldorado Park on March 10 and 11, where people could voice their concerns to the provincial premier David Makhura.

Cleo Bodibe-Lushaba, the workshop’s programme director, told the community that South Africa is facing a problem of substance abuse, which, in turn, is affecting the economy of the country. This is due to government spending a lot of money to rehabilitate drug addicts, with nearly R20 billion spent last year.

Rapt audience members filled the venue at the recent substance abuse workshop.

Stakeholders attending a substance abuse workshop held at Chiefs House (Emakhosini) Zone 4 Meadowlands) from right: Cleo Bodibe-Lushaba (director of Liquor Board), Fanny Mokoena (president of the National Tourism and Hospitality Association), Moipone Thupudi (Gauteng Liquor Board), Monde Dhladhla (deputy president of NTHA), Clara Monnakgotla (Sanca), Base Malinga (African Youth Development Fund), Louwina le Roux (Sanca), Warrant Officer Robert Nelichindi and Warrant Office Taolele (seated, centre) both from Diepkloof SAPS. Photos by NTHA.

“That is a lot of money when we think of people who don’t have housing or students who can’t afford to pay university fees to further their studies,” she said, describing people who sell alcohol and drugs to the community as “selfish and irresponsible”.

“Who will lead our country when the youth is dead because of substance abuse?” she said, bemoaning the fact that people do not report wrongdoers. “Is it because they know them? Or is it because it’s not their own kids who are being affected by these drugs?”

The issue of underage drinking was also identified as alcohol addiction is a disease. A spokesperson for Liquor Traders Against Crime (LTAC) explained the need for all liquor traders to attend meetings of this nature so they can learn how to trade responsibly and abide by the code of conduct that guides them and who don’t sell alcohol to anyone under the age of 21 and they work hand in hand with the SAPS. Furthermore, they also should not sell to pregnant women nor allow their patrons to stay till late. Responsible taverns close their business at 10pm during the week and on Sundays, and at midnight on Saturdays. Their aim is not to create a market to buy stolen goods, which is why they call themselves Liquor Traders Against Crime.

NTHA president, Fanny Mokoena, spoke as the president of the association of members who are liquor traders against crime, and caterers and owners of B&Bs, pubs, restaurants, hotels and bottle stores.

She emphasised that they should trade responsibly all the time and not ignore what the law says. They must attend meetings and respect their neighbours, but they must also take good care of our youth and not sell alcohol to minors.

NTHA’s deputy president, Monde Dhladhla, also made a very important point by saying it could also help if the Liquor Board ensures that big businesses like Shoprite, Pick n Pay, Spar and all other liquor retailers have more than two trained managers who attend liquorrelated workshops on site every day so that minors cannot buy alcohol easily.

Phumzile Ratladi, general secretary of Liquor Traders Against Crime, closed the workshop by encouraging liquor traders to join the association of their choice.