SALTA COLUMN
S
outh Africans are hurting. We are distressed. What is happening in the country today is contrary to the wishes and expectations of our people. Transformation is happening at a snail’s pace. One of the reasons for the slow pace of transformation is communication between liquor authorities and traders. Communication should be a two-way process. A major problem under the apartheid regime was talking at people, while their responses fell on deaf ears and were ignored. Economic transformation is likely to fail if inputs submitted by liquor stakeholders to liquor authorities are not taken seriously. There has been public consultation in bad faith. For instance, the recent 100% increase in licence fees is absurd and unjustified. The liquor traders’ objection was not entertained at all. The ANC economic policy guidelines, adopted at its national conference in May 1992, state that in the context of the growth and development strategy, the role of the state should be adjusted 10
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to the needs of the national economy in a flexible way. The actions the state takes at any given time should be aimed at strengthening the ability of the economy to respond to the massive inequalities in the country, alleviate the material hardships of the majority of the people and stimulate economic growth and competitiveness. If we do not have consistency, transparency and accountability in government institutions, how do we hope to achieve the development of the economy towards a sustainable economic growth? Alcohol abuse is of concern to most liquor traders, and devising means to close down existing liquor outlets by authorities is no solution. Educating the public and liquor traders is the way to go. Stakeholders who have been involved in this regard by creating awareness of the scourge – your involvement is commendable. Let’s have more stakeholders who have not been very vocal coming onboard to campaign vigorously against the evil of alcohol abuse.
There has always been an emphasis on the abuse of woman and children, because they are the most vulnerable. This should actually be an ongoing process – not just reserved for a particular month. Traders! What about customer abuse? Simply giving more liquor to an obviously intoxicated person should be viewed as abuse. Giving liquor to a pregnant woman – abuse squared! In fact, the two should be viewed as attempted murder – finish and klaar. SALTA condemns the above trader behaviour, and our members are encouraged to stand up and speak out against it. SALTA President, Mish Hlophe
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N IO T A M R O F S N A R T N O S SALTA FOCUSE L O H O C L A D N A Y R T IN THE LIQUOR INDUSSE AND CUSTOMER ABU
