Gauteng Economic Development, Agriculture and Rural Development MEC Vuyiswa Ramokgopa will officially launch the Strategic Liquor Stakeholders Forum tomorrow, 06 May 2026, in Sandton. This important initiative marks a significant step towards strengthening collaboration and coordination among key stakeholders in addressing the persistent and complex challenges associated with alcohol consumption in the province.
The establishment of the Strategic Liquor Stakeholders Forum is informed by the growing recognition that alcohol-related harm in Gauteng – including crime, gender-based violence, road fatalities, and mounting public health pressures – cannot be effectively addressed through fragmented or isolated interventions. While the Gauteng Liquor Board (GLB) continues to play a critical regulatory role in overseeing the manufacture, distribution and sale of liquor, these ongoing challenges require a more integrated and collective response.
The Forum will serve as a structured platform to bring together regulators, industry leaders, law enforcement agencies, and public health institutions to drive coordinated, evidence-based interventions. It aims to foster accountability, enhance data-sharing, and align stakeholder efforts with provincial priorities focused on harm reduction and community safety.
A central feature of the Forum is the adoption of key strategic pillars, which stakeholders will champion within their existing programmes to ensure focused and measurable impact. These pillars include:
- Social harm and community safety
- Mental health and substance abuse
- Impact on pregnant women and children
- Underage drinking
- Illicit and counterfeit alcohol
- Informal trading
Through embedding these pillars into ongoing initiatives, the Forum seeks to promote sustained, collective action and encourage responsible and ethical practices across the liquor sector.
The launch will also highlight a strong partnership between government and industry. Key stakeholders participating in the Forum include Aware.org, DF-SA, Heineken Beverages, SAB InBev, Diageo and the Beer Association of South Africa (BASA). These industry partners will play a pivotal role in responding to the identified pillars and elevating programmes that support Gauteng’s broader social and economic objectives.
The Chief Director of the Gauteng Liquor Board, Crezelda Venter, emphasised that the Forum represents a proactive and collaborative approach to tackling one of the province’s most pressing social challenges. “The success of this initiative depends on our collective commitment to work together in building safer, healthier communities. This Forum is not just about dialogue, but about driving meaningful and measurable change,” she said.
Members of the media are invited to attend the launch event.
Event Details:
Date: Wednesday, 6 May 2026
Venue: The Capital on the park, 101 Katherine street, Sandton, Gauteng
Time: 10:30 for 11:00am
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