WHAT IS IT ABOUT SOUTH AFRICAN BRANDIES that make them so special, yet, why are they underappreciated by the broader population in the country? We speak to the connoisseurs, who raise their glasses for elevating their favorite tipple. 



South Africa, with one of the oldest wine routes outside of France is, unsurprisingly, a producer of top-class wines. And beyond wine, brandy, in particular, is another top-class spirit produced here, a fact most locals are unaware of. Often dismissed as part of brandewyn en coke (brandy and Coke drink combination) culture, South African brandy is actually of such high quality, it regularly cleans up at international awards shows.



When looking at what sets South African brandies apart, there are a few components at play. Firstly, it’s worth noting there are three primary categories of brandy: Pot still or Cape, Vintage and Blended brandy. Pot still/Cape and blended brandies make up the majority of the category. Pot still/Cape brandy is made exclusively from copper pot still distillation and aged for at least three years. This represents the traditional and artisanal style of brandy production, while blended brandy is a mix of at least 30% pot still, and unmatured spirits, designed to be more affordable and versatile, and used for mixers and cocktails.



Secondly, the grapes used to make the base wines for distillation start by being exceptional. Chenin blanc and Colombard are the most common grapes used for brandy production and with South Africa’s prolific wine industry, it’s no surprise that these grapes become excellent wines. South African brandies are also characterized by rigorous production standards, which include the minimum aging period. The country’s regulations require that brandy must be aged for at least three years, surpassing the minimum aging period for cognac, which is two and a half years.



“In practice, many South African brandies are aged far beyond this requirement, developing a depth of flavor that is unmatched,” says John Loomes, CEO of KWV, one of South Africa’s leading wine and spirits producers. “The warmer climate in South Africa allows grapes used in brandy production to reach full ripeness with higher sugar levels, resulting in brandies that exhibit rich, sun- dried fruit notes both on the nose and palate. This warmer climate also accelerates the aging process, enhancing the aromatic intensity and concentration of the brandies.” He continues by saying that this often results in 20-year-old South African brandies developing characteristics that would typically take 35 years in Europe. “This leads to a rich and complex flavor profile that is highly regarded by international connoisseurs,” says Loomes.



With distilleries such as KWV drawing on techniques as far back as 1926, the local brandy industry has long been held to such a high standard. “The quality was high from the beginning and was originally formulated to be enjoyed with a mixer,” says Johan Venter, a renowned master distiller. “Our production methods were prescribed and were different to the rest of the world. We use a pot still, while the rest of the world mainly uses column stills. We use small barrels (smaller than 340 liters) and the minimum age is three years, whereas the rest of the world uses large barrels with little maturation time, roughly six months.” 



Ultimately, the regulations around brandy are what uphold its quality and importance in local spirit production. “The industry adheres to regulations that dictate production methods, aging, and classification,” says Shane Mumba, brand ambassador for the South African Brandy Foundation and member of The Black Cellar Club, or BLACC, a nonprofit focused on education in wines and spirits in the hospitality sector. “We have strict legislation for brandy production. The South African Brandy Foundation established by the industry in 1984 protects the heritage and integrity of South African brandy.”



The nod to heritage here is important in understanding the complexity of brandy, as well as its reception and popularity. It’s believed that the first-recorded brandy distillation took place in 1672, aboard a Dutch ship anchored in Table Bay. “The cook managed to distil 1,000 liters of Cape wine into about 130 liters of brandy and the South African brandy story started,” says Mumba. “The Dutch, and later the French Huguenots, brought with them a wealth of knowledge in viticulture and distillation, laying the foundation for South African brandy.” It would be centuries later until brandy began to develop some traction, but this legacy has culminated in a globally-recognized product. As recently as May, at the 2024 International Spirits Challenge, KWV was one of three local producers to win gold.



Leah van Deventer is an award-winning spirits and drinks writer, judge and consultant and says that these awards underpin the quality of local brandy, but highlights why that doesn’t necessarily translate to popularity at home. “South African brandy is a world leader in the category, and it has double gold medals and best-in-class awards from multiple blind-tasting competitions to prove it,” says Van Deventer. “That said, you can have a brilliant product, and it may still not be to someone’s personal taste, in terms of both their consumer bias and their preferred flavor profile.” Simply put, brandy – even one that systematically wins global accolades – is not everyone’s cup of tea and there’s data to back this up.



KWV’s Loomes says that only an estimated 4% of the African population currently consumes brandy or cognac. He attributes this to brandy’s public perception and how it’s viewed in comparison to other spirits. “Locally, South African brandy often competes with the long-established prestige of cognac, which has become synonymous with luxury in the minds of many consumers, mainly due to its imported status. Despite the world-class quality of our brandies, this perception can sometimes overshadow local appreciation of just how good they are.”



Venter agrees, adding that in the early 1990s, when imported whiskey became too expensive, local whiskey was introduced as a substitute, further taking the spotlight off brandy. “South African whiskey is a fantastic product and at the time it was considered much classier to drink whiskey than brandy,” Venter adds. “But the misuse of brandy in South Africa gave it a very bad reputation.”



This lesser view of brandy, coupled with the rise of interest in cognac, also comes back to the history of the spirit. “Within its home country, brandy is still often seen as a White man’s tipple, with the historical stigma that goes with that,” says Van Deventer. She adds that it is beginning to gain traction within the Black community, thanks to the work of associations like BLACC, but there’s still a lot of work to be done.



Mumba echoes this, saying education is a key driver. “Brandy production is a complex and intricate process. Very few people know how much time and care goes into producing brandy.” He continues by saying that most South Africans simply aren’t aware of their award-winning brandies. “The more South Africans know about the incredible brandies we have and the time it takes to make this golden liquid, the more interested they will be.” Loomes adds that to invigorate interest, there must be continued emphasis on the local brandy’s exceptional quality. 



“And in the case of our pot stills, these are not only on par with but often surpasses cognac in taste and quality.” This is particularly key in emerging markets where the rising costs of cognac present a clear opportunity for local brandies. Mumba also highlights how the reframing of brandy can help with its reception. “The versatility of blended brandy makes it a wonderful choice for mixers and cocktails, but it also calls for greater creativity within the category,” he says. “This presents a great opportunity for entrepreneurs to create ready-to- drink aperitifs to attract a younger and new consumer.”

Young female bartender professionally pours rum or brandy from steel jigger into glass at bar.

What Sets South African Brandy Apart – And Rebranding To Attract New Customers

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline">TOPLINE</h2>



Depression, vitamin D deficiency, social isolation and diabetes are among a dozen health issues that can increase the risk of early-onset dementia, according to a new study published Tuesday, the latest evidence on causes of the condition beyond genetics.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h2>



The&nbsp;<a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/article-abstract/2813439" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a>&nbsp;published in the American Medical Association’s JAMA Neurology found people who are vitamin D deficient or suffer from depression are at a higher risk for experiencing dementia symptoms before the age of 65, as are those with diabetes, heart disease, stroke, a hearing impairment or a form of low blood pressure called orthostatic hypotension.



Factors associated with a lower risk of early-onset dementia included education (having an academic or professional degree), socioeconomic status (wealthier people had a lowered risk) and alcohol use (moderate to heavy drinkers had the lowest association with dementia, while those who didn’t drink at all or with alcohol use disorder were at higher risk).



Researchers with the University of Exeter, Maastricht University and other institutions studied more than 330,000 people under the age of 65 from the United Kingdom and considered 39 risk factors across medical, demographic, lifestyle and environmental factors, among other indicators.



Early-onset dementia often&nbsp;<a href="https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/types-dementia/diagnosing-young-onset-dementia" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">presents</a>&nbsp;as a change in personality or behavior in people between 30 and 60 years old and is estimated to impact 3.9 million people around the world, the study says— about 5% of people with Alzheimer&#8217;s disease or other dementia illnesses develop symptoms before age 65,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/in-depth/alzheimers/art-20048356#:~:text=Young%2Donset%20(also%20called%20early,develop%20symptoms%20before%20age%2065." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">according to</a>&nbsp;the Mayo Clinic



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-big-number">BIG NUMBER</h2>



40%. A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thelancet.com/article/S0140-6736(20)30367-6/fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2020 report</a>&nbsp;of the Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention, Intervention and Care suggests late-onset dementia cases (in those older than 65) could be reduced by as much as 40% if certain risk factors are eliminated like smoking, high alcohol intake and depression.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surprising-fact">SURPRISING FACT</h2>



While preventative risk factors for late-onset dementia include physical activity, healthy diet, socialization and cognitive activity, authors of the new study said it&#8217;s unclear if the same factors apply to early-onset cases.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">KEY BACKGROUND</h2>



Early or young-onset dementia can be attributed to a wider range of diseases than those that impact older people, and people grappling with early-onset cases are more likely to experience a wide range of symptoms in the starting stages,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/types-dementia/young-onset-dementia#content-start" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">according to</a>&nbsp;the Alzheimer&#8217;s Society. Memory loss is often not an early symptom of young-onset dementia, and patients are more likely to experience problems with movement, walking, coordination or balance. Often called &#8220;working-age dementia,&#8221; the new study describes the condition as having a &#8220;particularly high&#8221; personal, societal and economic cost on younger people because of consequences to employment, social life and familial responsibilities.

Dementia bran scan research

Early-Onset Dementia Risk Tied To Alcoholism, Social Isolation And These Other Factors, Study Finds

As South Africa enters Alert Level 2 of the lockdown today, with the ban on alcohol and tobacco products lifted, the country’s restaurants, bars and taverns are hoping for a new lease of life. Liqour stores across the country witnessed snaking queues today. In this picture, taken in the morning, consumers wait in line outside Makro in the Crown Mines area, to buy alcohol in bulk. Some of them arrived in the early hours even before the shops opened.

IMG_8530

The True Spirit Of Level 2

The season just got a bit more sensational for whisky connoisseurs, as Johnnie Walker releases the third installment in its ‘ghost’ series, with the remarkably rare and limited edition, Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Glenury Royal.



This exceptional blend with bewildering layers of depth highlights, notes of candied fruits, spices and unrivaled smokiness. At the heart is the Glenury Royal whisky – the perfect gift to that whisky collector or whisky afficionado.



Ghost
and Rare remains in
dwindling supply since the shutdown of its birthplace, the iconic Highland
distillery, Glenury Royal in 1985. Each bottle is handcrafted in small batches
by the combined expertise of a small team of passionate blenders led by master
blender Jim Beveridge,the sixth in an unbroken line of master blenders
stretching back almost 200 years. 



Ghost
and Rare is complexly
layered with the sweetness of honey and elegant smoke for a long and lingering
incomparable finish. With only 1,600 uniquely numbered bottles in Nigeria and
only 60,000 bottles made globally, this is a whisky that few others will ever
get to taste. &nbsp;



As one of the most sought-after whiskies in the world, Ghost and Rare is a perfect Christmas
gift to appreciate a loved one or a discerning drinker who continues to walk
with you.



Enjoy Johnnie Walker responsibly. Not for persons below 18 years



Content provided by Johnnie Walker

Blue Label Article

The Re-Awakening Of Some Of The Rarest Whiskies In The World: Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost And Rare Glenury Royal

From cattle herder to comedian to liquor businessman, Mashabela Galane is a man of many talents.
This is not a joke. This is the story of South African comedian and entrepreneur Mashabela Galane from the dusty streets of Mmotong Kgohloane village in Limpopo where he once led a life herding cattle.
“Growing up in the rural areas is not easy. You are not sure if you are going to pass [matric], but what you want is to get out of your village [after matric] and move to Johannesburg and make something of your life,” says Galane.
On this warm winter’s afternoon when we meet him, Galane emerges, wearing a coat and holding a bottle of his Moringa Gin product, recently introduced in the South African liquor market.
The man of humble beginnings has an infectious smile – his job is to also make people laugh – and you can sense the pride in his voice as he talks about his life.
In the year 2000, he was a student at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, studying for a bachelor’s degree in performing arts and media studies.
“It was difficult for me when I got to Witwatersrand because I was not used to the environment. I used to think that I was one of the smartest in high school until I arrived at university,” says Galane.
Having never set foot in a library or even been to a career exhibition, he was determined to learn in order to succeed. His motivation was his family – he didn’t want to disappoint them.
“It was very sad to be one of the slowest students in class… But I worked so hard because I told myself that I am here to make it,” he says.
“Most of the students that work really hard at university are the ones that come from the rural areas. Because they know that they need to pass because they have nothing else to fall back on at home unlike those that come from privileged families.”
It was in his third year at university that Galane’s fortune changed, that would literally see him laughing all the way to the bank.
“We used to go to the Witwatersrand theater where we would watch plays and sometimes there would be comedians who would come to perform. When I saw them perform, I knew that this was what I want to do,” he says with a big smile.
<a href="http://www.forbesafrica.com/entrepreneurs/2018/10/18/no-wasted-opportunities-for-swazi-entrepreneur/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">READ MORE: No Wasted Opportunities For Swazi Entrepreneur</a>
So he started a society in performing arts intended for students from rural areas.
“So it was then that I started making jokes and I would perform around the residences,” he says.
Though he started his performances in English, he later opted for stand-up comedy in vernacular languages, which turned out in his favor because that is what set him apart in the comedy industry and put him on South Africa’s cultural map.
“There are people who want to laugh in their mother language,” he quips.
“As a vernacular comedian, we have a wider market compared to the English-performing comedians. They would struggle to fill up a 1,000-seater venue at The Lyric Theatre and I can do Big Top Arena [in Johannesburg] and it takes a capacity of 3,500.”
<div id="attachment_37527" style="width: 693px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-37527" class="wp-image-37527 size-large" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Mashabela-468-683x1024.jpg" alt="" width="683" height="1024" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Mashabela-468-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Mashabela-468-300x450.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Mashabela-468-600x900.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Mashabela-468-200x300.jpg 200w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Mashabela-468-768x1151.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Mashabela-468.jpg 1366w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" />Mashabela Galane. Photo by Motlabana Monnakgotla.</div>
In 2008, Galane turned comedy into a profession and recorded his first DVD, Strictly Vernac.
This would be a game-changer earning him plaudits in the world of comedy, and this success spurred him on to also try his luck in the liquor industry as an entrepreneur.
He had saved some of the money he made from his annual stand-up comedy shows.
His future would be as an entrepreneur infusing the organic flavors of the moringa plant, native to parts of Africa, into a distilled spirit.
“Hustling in the comedy industry helped me because it needed me to have a business mentality,” he says of his acumen for enterprise.
He first stumbled upon moringa juice, and then moringa beer, which he only sells at markets.
“Within the first two months, while I was still waiting for the beer to brew, I went to a gin market which had different flavors of gin,” continues Galane.
It is then that he decided to digress from craft beer to craft gin. His first attempt was not successful. The gin tasted like whiskey.
“I didn’t like it, it wasn’t nice. I lost more R300,000 ($20,443) of my savings trying to get it right.”
It has been an arduous journey since. Finding the right packaging not already on the market was a challenge as well as having to provide distributors with the product before they pay.
But the bumpy ride has been worth it, says Galane, because he always knew he would find his entrepreneurial side.
“I have always had the characteristics of a businessman because I used to sell chips at the taxi rank during school holidays.”
Galane is laughing all the way to the bank as his craft gin is available nationwide; soon he will launch an App for placing orders. He plans to also branch into the cosmetics industry using the moringa plant.
He has discovered the serious side of business, and unlike his on-stage alter ego, it’s not funny.

Mashabela-extended1

The Comedian With Spirit

How do you make science fun? Just ask 36-year-old vodka entrepreneur Sibusiso Sibisi.
With an unquestionable flair for organizing events and parties – most of them in his backyard growing up – instead of studying event management, he went on to study analytical chemistry for his BSc degree. He then sanguinely mixed the two.
Today, he makes vodka that gets consumed at parties country-wide in South Africa.
<a href="http://www.forbesafrica.com/woman/2014/10/01/the-iron-lady-of-beer/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">READ MORE: The Iron Lady Of Beer</a> 
Born and bred in Kagiso, a township not far from Krugersdorp, a mining town in the south of Johannesburg, South Africa, Sibisi launched his own brand, Distinkt Vodka, in 2016.
Keen to hear his story, I head to Kagiso to meet him. It takes me 30 minutes to locate his address, using maps on my phone and eventually realizing the need to update the GPS in my car, an exercise that would have saved me a lot of time and petrol.
Outside his home, a black delivery van is parked next to his swanky MINI Cooper. Sibisi, equally sleek, in a suit, emerges, welcomes me inside, and leading me to a bar in his garage, offers a shot of his Distinkt Vodka.
Sampling it with a dash of lemon and soda, it’s a good taste of the interview that is to follow.
Sibisi grew up in a large household with several family members. He didn’t have a privileged upbringing; the first time he got to sleep in his own bed was when he was 18 years old, after he moved with his mother to a new house in the same area within Kagiso.
After high school, he pursued a national diploma in analytical chemistry at the University of Johannesburg, a path he chose goaded on by college career counsellors who thought he had the right analytical abilities.
“To be honest, I hated analytical chemistry because it did not go with who I was,” says Sibisi.
His heart was elsewhere.
As a student, Sibisi enjoyed organizing and hosting events, in the same house I meet him for this interview. He was popular for his, although-humble, backyard parties and for simply, having fun.
When he told people he was studying chemistry, it always surprised them.
But as he pursued his studies, he realized he actually liked analytical chemistry; studying how things came to be, such as vodka or even a bar of soap.
<a href="http://www.forbesafrica.com/cover-story/2015/08/01/farmworker-multi-millionaire/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">READ MORE: From Farmworker To Multi millionaire</a>
But Sibisi still struggled to acquire the diploma, dropping out after four years, as he had lost interest and wasn’t sure if he really did want to study. He called his mother and told her he wanted to work instead. But that too was to be short-lived.
“I started working at a call center for a bank. [But] I realized I needed to graduate because it wasn’t nice saying the same things all day; that’s how I went back and graduated in 2008,” he says.
Soon after graduating, he worked as a laboratory technician, then supervisor and manager, going through all the motions of working in a lab. Sibisi worked hard and it was recognized by his employers.
“A lab is a place where you get to talk to yourself a lot because it is not active and vibrant like many industries. You are on your own and have to focus,” he says.
“All this time, I was thinking I had acquired so much knowledge in university, I’m acquiring knowledge now in the field, I know how most of these things come about. [But] what am I doing about it? That is how I went into the lab and started experimenting.”
This he accomplished, using the Chemin incubator program labs at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa.
He looked into the alcohol industry, researched the volume of alcohol consumed by people, especially the youth, on weekends, and the sales potential of such an opportunity.
He also realized that this could be a revenue-spinner for South Africa, a major importer of liquor.
Sibisi saw an opportunity in the vodka market and knew he had to target his own country, he says pointing his fingers to the ground.
The first beverage he developed was a beer prototype, then a brandy prototype, followed by a gin prototype. He developed the first vodka prototype in 2012 and decided on vodka, adding that it is one of the few quality products in the market.
“The liquor market is very saturated, even worse with the vodka market because there are many ways to make vodka, but there’s very few ways to make good vodka,” laughs Sibisi.
His knowledge of chemistry more than came in handy.
<div id="attachment_36010" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-36010" class="wp-image-36010 size-large" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Vodka-182-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="682" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Vodka-182-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Vodka-182-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Vodka-182-600x400.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Vodka-182-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Vodka-182.jpg 1241w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />Sibusiso Sibisi. Photograph by Motlabana Monnakgotla.</div>
Distinkt is made using grain and potatoes, among other things. Sibisi buys the potatoes from a farmer in the North West province of South Africa, after which he mashes them, and then boils them at high temperatures. The liquid is strained from the potatoes, and fermented.
Soon after the fermentation process, it is distilled and filtered three times for purity. He takes what’s left of it, and tastes the alcohol content. If it is high, he uses purified water to dilute the alcohol, if it is low, it is redistilled to have the exact desired concentration of alcohol. It is then tested again. If there is an anomaly, the process is repeated before the vodka is bottled and packaged.
“This proudly South African vodka has reached most of Gauteng and other big towns in other provinces [in the country] and is selling at a faster rate than it was before,” beams Sibisi.
“We are currently in a few Pick n Pay liquor outlets and Ultra liquors across South Africa and in most township bottle stores, pubs and clubs.”
Distinkt is currently produced in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal and a plant in Germiston in Johannesburg.
I had downed a shot of vodka and had to drive back to the office, with the GPS for company. How I wished the interview had been on a Friday afternoon.

Vodka-188

The Party Animal In The Lab

Johnnie Walker, in partnership with Million Men March, Tswharanang Legal Advocacy Centre and Lifeline, held an event on Saturday at the iconic Nelson Mandela Bridge in support of an abuse-free society by pledging to do what they can to eradicate the causes and effects of women and children abuse for not only 16 days, but for all 365 days of the year. The South African public is also invited to pledge their support to eradicate the causes and effects of abuse for all 365 days of the year by pledging their support on <a href="http://www.strideforgood.co.za" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.strideforgood.co.za</a>.
Alcohol has long been associated in many parts of the world with enjoyment and celebration. At Johnnie Walker, our brands are made with pride, but are also made to be enjoyed – responsibly. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Violence against women is often related to the irresponsible use of alcohol.
<div id="attachment_34756" style="width: 511px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-34756" class=" wp-image-34756" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Diageo-Johnnie-Walker-pledge-e1512991006125-300x191.jpg" alt="" width="501" height="319" />Representatives from Diageo, Million Men March, Tswharanang Legal Advocacy Centre and Lifeline, on Nelson Mandela Bridge. (Photo supplied)</div>
Several studies from low- and middle-income countries show that men who misuse alcohol are 1.6 to 4.8 times more likely to perpetrate intimate partner violence than men who do not misuse alcohol. Fortunately, research also shows that violence against women is predictable and preventable. By identifying the social, cultural, legal and economic factors that influence such violence, it is possible to predict its occurrence and to understand how to prevent it.
The Striding Men event is just one of the many initiatives Johnnie Walker will champion to promote responsible drinking and combat alcohol misuse. Johnnie Walker is proud to invite South Africa to participate and contribute towards 365 days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children by continuing to promote responsible drinking in South Africa.

South African public invited to pledge and #strideforgood

Brian Muhumuza, a recovering alcoholic who has been sober for more than three years, is a refugee living in Johannesburg, because there are no rehabilitation centers in his home country of Uganda.
“When I wanted to stop drinking at around 25, the only option I had for help was the church. I thought then that if my only option was religion, I would rather just drink through my problem.”
Fortunately, Muhumuza’s mother worked at a medical facility and was able to provide medication while he attempted to stop drinking.
Muhumuza is fortunate. He is one of the few who managed to get treatment. For most, treating an addiction is either inaccessible or unaffordable.
<div id="attachment_33391" style="width: 235px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-33391" class="size-medium wp-image-33391" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Brian-Muhumuza-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" />Brian Muhumuza Photo supplied)</div>
Around 5% of the world’s adults, or nearly 250 million people between the ages of 15 and 64, used at least one drug in 2014, according to the latest World Drug Report released last year by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
It reported that the number of people classified as suffering from drug use disorders has increased disproportionally for the first time in six years. There are now over 29 million people within this category (compared to the previous figure of 27 million). Additionally, around 12 million people inject drugs, with 14% of these living with HIV, according to the report which was released in June 2016.
<a href="http://www.forbesafrica.com/focus/2017/08/22/waste-doctors-waiting-tables-answering-phones/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Waste Of Doctors Waiting on Tables And Answering Phones</a>
The report highlights a strong link between poverty and drug problems. Indeed, the brunt of the drug use problem is borne by people who are poor in relation to the societies in which they live, as can be seen in stark terms in wealthier countries.
“The strong association between social and economic disadvantage and drug use disorders can be seen when analysing different aspects of marginalization and social exclusion, such as unemployment and low levels of education.”
The overall impact of drug use, in terms of health, continues to be devastating. We are constantly told that substance abuse is a major problem in society, and statistics are often rolled out to prove the point. But trying to track these down is extremely difficult.
South Africa is one of the few African countries to have a national drug policy and this is also reflected in the number of treatment centers in the country. The South African Community Epidemiology Network on Drug Use (SACENDU) tracks admission numbers at government and private rehabilitation centers in South Africa. The SACENDU Project is an alcohol and other drug (AOD) sentinel surveillance system in South Africa.
The system, operational since 1996, monitors trends in AOD use and associated consequences on a six-month basis from specialist AOD treatment programs. The first half of 2016 saw 10,540 patients across 82 centers/programs – up from 9,679 in the second half of 2015. At an average of 21,000 recorded patients a year, at a rough estimate of $1,800 per patient, the annual income earned by these centers is around $39,000. However, Johannesburg alone probably has about 50 treatment centers of various categories and these are always at capacity with around 20 to 40 clients per three-week treatment period. Additionally, patients are often admitted to hospitals and do not go on to enter rehabs, so estimates are largely irrelevant.
<a href="http://www.forbesafrica.com/woman/2017/04/01/death-comes-life/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">From Death Comes Life</a>
The latest research from the Medical Research Council (MRC), which has been published in the SA Medical Journal, indicated South Africa lost about $23 billion in 2009 as a result of alcohol abuse.
It said that about $3 billion of that was used to deal with the socials ills associated with alcohol. These include death, illness, disability, unintentional injury, including road traffic accidents, as well as crime. Healthcare services received the second biggest bill ($930 million), followed by social welfare, at $30 million, according to the MRC study.
South Africa has taken a strong stand on the issue. Nelson Mandela highlighted the problem during his inauguration speech as far back as 1994. South Africa at least continually revisits the issue through its Drug Master Plan. The last one covered the period 2012-2017, meaning that it is currently over five years out of date.
Unfortunately, no such reports or policy have been found from the African Union, meaning that one has to rely on international stats when reviewing the issues in Africa. Even in South Africa, the widely published figures have been challenged by Africa Check, the NGO that reviews widely quoted statistics or reports. It found that many of the figures used by government or research organizations could not be proven.
The organization referred to a June 2016 newsletter, that goes out to over 700,000 principal medical aid members of Tiger Brands, CompCare Wellness and the Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS), which alerted them to “shocking South African drug statistics”.
In the Heartbeat newsletter, South African medical insurance schemes administrator, Universal Healthcare, suggests that rampant crime and 15% of South Africans having a drug problem are related. It also stated that the country is home to “one of the world’s drug capitals” and that drug abuse costs the country R20 billion ($1.5 billion) a year. Universal Healthcare was asked for its sources but did not respond at the time of publication.
Africa Check says that the claim of 15% cannot be proven. It reports that South Africa has no regular representative surveys on substance abuse. There has only been one nationally representative epidemiological study of alcohol, drug and psychiatric disorders, carried out between 2002 and 2004, mainly to diagnose mental disorders in adults.
The study provided figures of lifetime prevalence for any substance use disorders, including alcohol. It showed that 13.3% of adult South Africans met the criteria for a substance use disorder, including alcohol, at some time in their life.
“Without alcohol, that figure dropped to around 4.5%,” Shaun Shelley, a research expert in the addiction division of the department of mental health and psychiatry at the University of Cape Town, told Africa Check. “Over a 12-month period, the figure was 5.8% (including alcohol disorders) and about 1.5% for drugs alone.”
<a href="http://www.forbesafrica.com/woman/2017/02/01/mercy-or-monster/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mercy Or Monster?</a>
Relying on anecdotal evidence of the issue also threw scant light on the problem. Drug treatment centers in South Africa, particularly Johannesburg, report a steady intake of addicts and alcoholics from across Africa, for those who can afford it as residential treatment facilities charge anywhere from $1,500 upwards for a 21-day stay. But no statistics are available.
Patients from Zimbabwe, Uganda and Mozambique, all explained that the only treatment facilities in their home countries were generally small, with a maximum of 10 to 80 beds, attached to the largest state psychiatric hospitals. Space is at a premium and facilities are harsh, although many report to have met caring and professional medical staff willing to provide help and support.
A Zimbabwean in treatment in South Africa said that, for the first time, a private rehab facility had opened in Harare in March this year. Zimbabweans, Angolans and Mozambicans most often seek treatment in South Africa but one person who has extensive knowledge of rehab facilities said that out of 40 to 80 patients – or clients as they are now known – only about one to three would come from elsewhere in Africa. It is also true that many foreigners travel to South Africa for treatment, given the favorable exchange rate, familiar languages and family connections. They are able to tell employers and friends that they are on holiday in Africa while receiving first-world treatment. Some luxury rehabs, mostly in popular tourist areas like Cape Town, charge up to $8,000 for a three-week stay.
Stepping Stones lists itself as a “luxury rehab” and quotes a figure of $5,500 per month on its website. White River Manor is quoted as charging $4,900 to $12,000 per month.
For most addicts, these prices, and recovery, are difficult to reach. &#8211; Written by Les Tilley

The High Price Of Addiction

The alcohol industry in Africa is an industry dominated by men for the male consumer. Wrong. Triya Govender, the new Brand Manager of Glenlivet single malt whisky in South Africa, says (surprisingly)some of the whisky brands in South Africa are managed by women.
Govender is 31 years old and has been in the alcohol marketing space for four years. According to her, women bring a different perspective to the whisky industry.
“I think the way women understand people [whisky drinkers], or rather, what insights they draw from them differs to men. My inferences about consumers are framed by, but not limited to, my perspective as a woman, which is different to a man. Neither is wrong or more accurate, they’re different and I think diversity of insight and perspective is a good thing because it helps stimulate debate and get the best idea on the table.
“The whisky category in this country is proliferated with brands appealing to more or less the same consumer need and doing so in very similar ways. Cutting through the clutter in order to be seen or heard by the consumer, let alone convincing them, is a big challenge,” says Govender.
She is seeking to expand her market, particularly the female franchise.
“Female franchise refers to the growing female whisky-drinking population in South Africa. These women are changing the face of what is widely considered an ‘all boys club’.”
Born in Durban in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal, Govender completed a Bachelor of Arts degree and post-graduation in Marketing Management at the University of Cape Town. She was employed by Microsoft as an online ad operator, followed by managerial positions in British American Tobacco, Brandhouse, Distell and Pernod Ricard where she holds her current position.
“At the time I moved into the alcoholic beverages industry, I was looking for an opportunity to grow my skills in terms of brand building. I felt brand management in this industry really focused on turning consumer insight into relevant brand propositions and this was the area of professional development I was seeking. Plus, it’s a pretty fun industry to be in,” says Govender.
Whether as marketers or consumers, are women in the whisky industry associated with empowerment?
“I’m empowered because I have the freedom to work in any industry I choose. I’m empowered because my voice is heard and I’m empowered because my gender does not dictate my skill, competency or the opportunities I have access to. Being the Brand Manager of Glenlivet is a result of the fact that I’m empowered. I believe the idea of legacy is a powerful personal motivator, it can motivate women [and men] to empower themselves if that’s what it takes to live a life worth remembering for the right reasons,” she adds.
This ethos is one she adopts even in her life as in 2012 she co-foundered the Young Professionals Effect, an organization offering free consulting to NGOs. She is also a manager of the Emagqabini Education Academy in Khayelitsha, a township in South Africa.
“I believe that we will not see any progress in society if we don’t work to improve the lives of all. The positive change I hope to bring about through my involvement in these organizations is the legacy I wish to leave behind.”

Tag: Alcohol

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