normal">uMlazi – The public and private sectors
teamed up to highlight the importance of responsible road use - and the danger
of getting behind the wheel intoxicated – in uMlazi on Tuesday.
line-height:normal">At an event hosted by South African
Breweries – called Drive Safety in uMlazi – representatives from the
KwaZulu-Natal departments of Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Social
Development and Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, together
with retailers from the area, gathered to share ideas on how to clamp down on
drunk driving.
line-height:normal">Zone President Africa for SA Breweries
Ricardo Tadeu said: “We’ve been working in uMlazi as a model community, where
we’ve been investing in taverns and making them safe places.
line-height:normal">“Reducing road accidents and overall
alcohol harm is our aim so, aside from that investment, we have started the
Smart Drinking Squad to make sure that our traders work with our products in
the most responsible manner.”
@SABreweries: 'Drive Safety in Umlazi' The crowd is introduced to the #SAB Smart Drinking Squad @TheMercurySA pic.twitter.com/B2BYwSoQXC
— Kamcilla Pillay (@Kamcilla) October 17, 2017
line-height:normal">'Understanding the cause'
line-height:normal">The squad was assembled to work at
educating licensed tavern owners, their customers and local communities to use
alcohol responsibly.
line-height:normal">“It’s not only about the money but
about understanding the cause of the problem. We’ve seen that there are a few
days of the week, from Friday to Sunday, where there are more incidents.
line-height:normal">“After 6pm is also where we see a
difference. There are also some specific areas and crossings that are badly
affected. We are analysing all this data to come up with ways to tailor our
approach to helping solve the problem.”
line-height:normal">Economic Development MEC Sihle Zikalala
said that, together with SAB, they had taken the decision to run the education
sessions.
line-height:normal">“We need to ensure people don’t drink
and drive and we want to instil that culture.”
line-height:normal">Shared responsibility
line-height:normal">He said the number of fatalities in
KwaZulu-Natal was “worrying”.
line-height:normal">“It requires us to reach out to the
community, tighten rules and ensure that they are reinforced.”
line-height:normal">The MEC for Social Development and
acting MEC for the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional
Affairs, Weziwe Thusi, also emphasised the importance of building feelings of
shared responsibility.
line-height:normal">The event follows on from the June
launch of the “Be Part of the Change” campaign, which further develops the SAB
18+ Be The Mentor campaign narrative that has been in place for three years.
line-height:normal">“SAB has committed to investing almost
R40 million to improving conditions in township taverns, of which about R13
million will be invested in KwaZulu-Natal,” it said.
line-height:normal">This would go towards improving
infrastructure, providing lighting, facilities and security.