OnTap Magazine

BASA UPDATE LETTER FROM THE CEO OF THE BEER ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH AFRICA Patricia Pillay BASA WORKING HARD TO HELP PROTECT CONSUMERS FROM THE SPREAD OF COVID 19 CBASA (Craft Brewers Association South Africa), Heineken South Africa and South African Breweries, have remained proactive players in the fight against the spread of Covid-19 in South Africa by implementing a number of measures across the country to effectively protect consumers. We have achieved this by remaining active participants in the implementation of preventative measures at a legislative, national and provincial level. We have spent several months working with the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac), through which we have proposed several interventions which can be enforced and monitored to save both lives and livelihoods during this time. These initiatives include a commitment to halt any sponsored events that encourage gatherings of any kind, with retailers committing to self-regulate quantity restrictions per customer. All our manufacturers have also agreed to abide by the aware.org.za marketing code adapted for Covid-19, while all retailers have committed to self-regulate quantity restrictions per customer. The Consumer Goods Council of South Africa hotline has remained active, to take calls and reports of any breaches of Covid-19 regulations, which would then be immediately reported to SAPS, and we have seen an enhanced adherence to safety protocols at all our outlets, ensuring establishment compliance to Covid-19 regulations. The alcohol industry at large has also increased the capacity of Alcohol Evidence Centres (AEC’s) in partnership with the Road Traffic Management Corporation of South Africa. AEC’s have been central to reducing fatalities caused by drinking and driving, as AEC units help law enforcement officers test suspected drunk drivers through Evidentiary Breathalyser Alcohol Testing and blood tests, which are processed by registered medical practitioners, to ensure that admissible evidence is collected for court proceedings. In addition to this, BASA along with the broader alcohol industry, has placed 500 patrollers and ex-reservists in 50 police stations across the country to support SAPS with visible enforcement on the ground. You’ll learn more of this initiative, and its outcomes, in the pages of this month’s issue. We are certain that our commitment as BASA, to ensure consumer safety through meaningful and effective measures has certainlymade an impact. The beer industry will continue to keep the health and safety of consumers as its main priority – without sacrificing any jobs or livelihoods in the process. 6 | Winter 2021 | ontapmag.co.za