South Africans spent a staggering R7.7 billion on alcohol between 25 December and 1 January, highlighting the nation’s deep-rooted drinking culture and the economic impact of alcohol consumption.
This figure was revealed by Deputy Minister of Social Development, Ganief Hendricks, during a presentation to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Social Development.
Hendricks emphasized that alcohol abuse remains one of South Africa’s biggest social and economic challenges. According to the South African Society of Psychiatrists, one in five adults in the country abuses mind-altering substances, with alcohol, codeine-based painkillers, and dagga being the most commonly misused. Beyond the financial spend, the cost of alcohol-related harm—including crime, absenteeism, and lost productivity—amounts to an estimated R37.9 billion annually, or nearly 10% of the nation’s GDP.
The Deputy Minister stressed that alcohol abuse plays a major role in social issues such as gender-based violence and crime. He also acknowledged that while government interventions exist, illicit substance use continues to rise, demanding stronger action.
In response to the crisis, Cabinet has approved the Prevention and Treatment for Substance Use Disorder Policy, which aims to update outdated legislation and introduce new strategies to reduce substance abuse in the country. However, with alcohol consumption at an all-time high, the challenge remains daunting.
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