Beyond the ballot box, the people watching over South Africa’s elections

South Africa faces a growing problem with illicit alcohol, particularly in Black, Indian, and Coloured communities. The presence of these alcohol products, often sold in 200ml bottles branded as vodka, raises concerns about the social and economic costs associated with alcohol abuse. Alcohol addiction has moved from being a celebratory habit to a daily occurrence for many people, with some drinking at work and others arriving at their jobs hungover and unable to perform their duties effectively.

The normalization of excessive drinking has serious consequences for individuals, families, and society. In 1956, a march of 20,000 women to the Union Buildings in Pretoria protested against apartheid pass laws and expressed concerns about the social impact of alcohol consumption in Black townships. These areas were home to beer halls that generated revenue for the state while serving as tools of social control, distracting Black men from the harsh realities of oppression.

Today, we must question why alcohol outlets remain prevalent in disadvantaged communities and who benefits from their widespread availability. The same forces that exploited and controlled communities under apartheid may continue to profit from the alcohol trade, while those who bear the brunt of the problem – poverty, unemployment, and inequality – are left to deal with the devastating effects of alcohol abuse.

As South Africa grapples with the failure of democracy and the unmet promises of a better life, we cannot ignore the damage caused by a society that has normalized excessive drinking. It is time to confront this issue and hold those responsible accountable.