The initiative brings together government, law enforcement, business and civil society leaders to advance responsible consumption and build safer communities.
The South African Breweries (SAB) has brought together government officials, law enforcement agencies, business leaders and civil society representatives to strengthen public-private partnerships aimed at improving road safety and reducing alcohol-related harm across South Africa.
The engagement, held as part of SAB’s Cheers to Responsibility Week, focused on turning shared commitments into measurable action through SAB Sharp, the company’s responsible consumption platform built around three pillars: educate, enforce and innovate.
Road safety was a key focus of the discussions, with SAB highlighting the impact of its Responsible Driving Programme in supporting law enforcement and efforts to combat drinking and driving. Through the programme, the company has supported the establishment of 34 alcohol evidence centres nationwide and invested more than R52 million in alcohol evidence centres and roadblocks.
Left to right: John Blood, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, Richard Rivett-Carnac & Andres Penate.
Since 2022, these enforcement initiatives have been associated with more than 60,000 drinking and driving arrests, demonstrating the potential of coordinated partnerships to strengthen enforcement capacity, improve evidence collection and support the prosecution of offences.
SAB Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Zoleka Lisa, emphasised that meaningful progress requires more than commitments, calling for partnerships that deliver tangible results.
She said responsibility was embedded in the company’s operations and that SAB Sharp continued to invest in initiatives designed to educate the public, strengthen enforcement and drive innovation to reduce alcohol-related harm.
Lisa added that collaboration between government, business, law enforcement and communities was essential to combining expertise and resources to make roads and communities safer.
SAB Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Zoleka Lisa.
Delivering the keynote address, Deputy Minister of Transport Mkhuleko Hlengwa also emphasised that road safety could not be achieved by government alone. He highlighted the importance of evidence-based solutions and collaboration between government, business, academia, law enforcement and communities to create lasting change.
Hlengwa noted that public-private partnerships extend beyond sharing resources, requiring a collective commitment to accountability, expertise and innovation to protect lives and reduce harm.
The engagement also provided a platform for local and international experts to share insights on responsible alcohol consumption, examine successful partnership models and identify opportunities to strengthen and expand existing interventions in South Africa.
Through SAB Sharp, SAB reaffirmed its commitment to working with government and other stakeholders to advance practical, evidence-based solutions that encourage responsible choices, strengthen enforcement and contribute to safer communities.
The initiative underscores the importance of sustained collaboration in addressing alcohol-related harm and promoting a culture of responsibility across the country.