There’s been much talk of this new proposed national liquor bill, mainly because it’s going to greatly change many great aspects about South Africa.

Like Florida Road in Morningside, Durban, or Long Street in Cape Town.

Both locations have been their city’s respective party streets for years – but if the proposed national liquor bill comes into place, that could no longer be the case.

If the new liquor bill is signed into effect by Jacob Zuma, all businesses within a radius of 500 metres from schools, places of worship, health facilities and recreational centres will lose their liquor license – and most places along both strips will be affected.

According to iol:

The new law would bring in stringent regulations, which would include that there should be no selling alcohol to a person under the age of 21 as opposed to the current age restriction of 18.

The bill was written in response to Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies’s concern about the high level of alcohol abuse. Davies said the country had the highest level of alcohol consumption in the world, “at 10-12 percent as compared to the world average of six percent”.

While I am all for the promotion of conscious and responsible drinking, I think that a lot more effort should be put into working through mental reasons over why such excessive drinking exists in our society.

But that’s just me, of course.

[source:iol]