During the State of the Nation Address (SONA) today, Cyril Ramaphosa highlighted alcohol abuse as a serious social challenge directly linked to child wellbeing and community safety.
The President warned that excessive alcohol consumption is a major contributor to child stunting, particularly when alcohol is consumed during pregnancy. He stressed that alcohol abuse not only affects early childhood development but also fuels violence, road accidents and crime in communities across the country.
Impact on Children and Families
Ramaphosa noted that alcohol misuse during pregnancy can have devastating effects on a child’s physical and cognitive development. He linked the broader culture of excessive drinking to domestic instability and unsafe environments for children.
A Driver of Violence and Crime
Beyond its health implications, the President said alcohol abuse is closely associated with:
Gender-based violence
Road fatalities
Assault and other violent crimes
Community instability
He described the issue as a “scourge” requiring decisive action at both provincial and national levels.
Strengthening Regulation
To address the crisis, Ramaphosa called on provincial governments to tighten alcohol regulations by:
Limiting the density of liquor outlets
Restricting trading hours
Ending the sale of alcohol in large containers
At national level, government has proposed additional measures to curb excessive alcohol consumption. These include:
Introducing minimum unit pricing or increasing excise duties
Imposing stricter restrictions on alcohol advertising
The proposed interventions are currently under consultation with stakeholders.
Ramaphosa emphasised that tackling alcohol abuse is essential not only for improving public health outcomes but also for strengthening families and creating safer communities
