Cape Town - Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini has called on families, communities and civil society to help in the fight against alcohol abuse.
Dlamini said it was not acceptable for taverns to be located near churches or schools. The minister was concerned that at times, teachers bought alcohol from those taverns and it made it easier for learners to bring alcohol to school.
Dlamini spoke to the media during a post Cabinet briefing on Thursday in Cape Town.
Her call comes at a time when the department is set to launch Social Development Month on October 4 in Mokgopong in Limpopo province. Activities are organised under the theme, "Working together to build caring and sustainable communities."
The minister said they were sticking to their plans to increase age restriction for accessing alcohol by young people from 18 to 21 years.
She said that at 21 years, one would be more mature than an 18-year old.
Dlamini said that while there were people making a living out of taverns, there were more whose lives were being destroyed by alcohol consumption.
She said that Cabinet had approved a programme of action to deal with substance abuse.
This, she said, included various departments coming up with policies to deal with the problem.
On a separate matter, Cabinet wished matriculants good luck as they will be starting their final examinations in the next 30 days.
Cabinet urged South Africans to support the learners during this time of the year. - BuaNews
