Thursday 6 July 2017

New Breathalyzer tested in Western Cape

Breathalyzer - A new breathalyzer device will be tested in the Western Cape over the next 3 months.  This follows previous devices which were found by the High Court to be inaccurate. The idea is that the device will not be used as the final proof of intoxication - it is used to show if a driver may be above the legal limit.  If it indicates a driver may be above the legal limit, the driver is taken to a facility where a proper blood test is conducted.   A driver may be fined or sentenced to jail if the blood test confirms the driver is over the legal limit.   Traffic authorities confirmed that the device may potentially be used on a national basis, if it is found to be successful in the Western Cape. 
What is the limit?  Roughly two beers or two glasses of wine should put a driver at risk of being over the legal limit.   Drivers should therefore be careful not to put the licences at risk buy driving under the influence of alcohol.   

Western Cape Schools may be licensed to sell liquor

Liquor - The WC Cabinet has approved changes to the WC Schools Act ("Act") to allow the sale and consumption of liquor on school premises.    Schools will have to apply to the HOD ("Head of Education") for approval and the HOD will authorise a governing body to allow the sale of liquor.   This will allow fund-raising functions to be licensed to sell liquor on school premises, which raises much needed revenue for most schools to use to the advantage of their learners.   It was nearly impossible to obtain a liquor licence for such functions under the current Act. 

The Draft Bill will now be published for final comments, following which it will be introduced to parliament for discussion, approval and implementation.

Friday 23 June 2017

New Liquor Act for North West Province

North West Liquor Law - The new liquor Act for the North West Province was published in the provincial gazette on 21 June 2017.  Click HERE and tell us which information you would like to receive on the new Liquor Act - such as new trading hours?  Some of the new provisions contained in the North West Liquor Act are :
  • Licence holders must convert their current licences within 3 years
  • Increase in fees
  • New types of licences
  • Amnesty period of 24 months for blacks who operate illegal liquor outlets from their homes
It is a complete overhaul of the old Liquor Act of 1989 and will be implemented on a date which is yet to be announced.   Current and potential liquor licence holders should take note of the new licensing provisions - if not, current liquor licence holders may end up with invalid licences. 

We will be updated liquor licence holders in the North West Province over the next few weeks in more detail about the new North West Liquor Act. 

Thursday 1 June 2017

New Liquor Regulations for Western Cape from 1 July 2017

Liquor Laws - The new liquor regulations for the Western Cape will be implemented from 1 July 2017.   It was published in the provincial gazette on Wednesday (31 May).    The most important changes relate to a number of areas involving liquor licence holders, such as the following :

  • Financial - Increased application Fees and Annual Licence Renewal Fees
  • Compliance - Increased Fines (up from R20 000 to R100 000)
  • Enforcement - Increased powers to SAP 
  • Applications - More documents & information
  • Application period - Earlier lodgement of applications required
Please Contact Us or comment on our Facebook Page for more information on the details of the new Regulations and how it will affect liquor licence holders and the general public of the Western Cape.



Tuesday 30 May 2017

Good News for Liquor Licence Holders in South Africa

Liquor Licence - Good news for liquor licence holders is that SAB (now InBev) is to invest $150m in South Africa.   The world’s largest beer producer will bring Budweiser, Corona and Stella Artois beer to Africa – via South Africa.   This will increase the number of liquor products which liquor licence holders can offer to the public.   

It should also benefit the beer drinking public as they will be paying less for these beers, which have been imported to date.   This is part of InBev’s campaign to bring low alcohol products to the African market.  On the other hand, one can expect that the growing market of craft beer lovers will pull up their noses at low alcohol beers, such as Budweiser.   One such afficionado described it as follows : "Safer to drink than water in some instances, but that’s about all it’s good for".  There's only one way to know and that's by supporting your local liquor licence outlet and trying it out! 

(Article by LiquorWise, sourced from http://www.fastmoving.co.za)

Tuesday 23 May 2017

Liquor Licence Holders in Hospitality Industry

Liquor Laws - The much criticised Liquor Amendment Bill has come under fire again, this time from the hospitality industry.   The thousands of concerned liquor licence holders in the hospitality industry will be pleased by the recent comments of the Fedhasa CEO.   He used words like “unfavourable”, “we need answers”, “un -pragmatic”, “not well thought-out” and “The passing of this bill, as it stands will be monumentally disruptive to the industry”.
The Bill is rumoured to be on the Agenda of the Cabinet’s meeting in August. 
Please watch this space for our next article on this very important proposed liquor law.


(From Bizcommunity Article – 17 May 2017). 

Friday 19 May 2017

Liquor Global Stats - Surprising

Liquor - Liquor statistics for global markets surprised a lot of people.   We compiled a selection for our South African readers below.   A lot more is available on request.
  • China - remains the world’s largest alcoholic liquor market in the world, nearly twice that of the USA.  
  • South East Asian - the fastest growing liquor market in the world.
  • Europe - features 9 out of the top 10 countries for liquor consumption per person
  • Stout  -  is the fastest growing type of beer globally with SA the 6th largest (our only top 10 position)
  • Wine  - market is growing again after 5 years. 
  • Gin – Phillipines leads the world, followed by the USA and Nigeria
  • Vodka – Since 2002, Russian consumption has halved, while US consumption has doubled - surprised?

Contact LiquorWise for liquor statistics.  If we don’t have it, we’ll find it!


(From a www.bizcommunity.com article – 15 May 2017)

Tuesday 16 May 2017

Liquor Board Answers Questions

Liquor Board - The Western Cape Liquor Licensing Tribunal answered pressing questions relating to liquor licence applications at a recent meeting with attorneys and consultants.  Some of the issues highlighted were :
  • Training : All managers have to attend a prescribed training course;
  • Temporary Applications : The controversial 50 - day application period may still be implemented.   It will mean that applications have to be lodged more than 2 months before the event it is required for.  We'll keep our readers posted;
  • New Regulations : The Liquor Authority was hopeful to finalise the new regulations by June 2017.
Contact LiquorWise for more detail on other questions, such as when wine shelves may be moved around in a supermarket. 

LiquorWise will continue to engage with Liquor Licensing Authorities on proposed changes in liquor licensing laws and report on such changes. 

Friday 31 March 2017

Cider Revolution?

Liquor Cider -  Sxollie Cider has started a “cider revolution” according to the owners of the Sxollie Cider brewery.    They support this contention by emphasizing that cider sales is the fastest growing segment in the craft brewing sector, even passing the growth of craft beer.    They aim to further the “cider revolution” by educating the public about craft cider.  
The name “Sxollie” was chosen to arouse the market’s interest, as it resonates with almost every person – young and old.  The owners stated that they “have an amazing product that we can be proud of; a product that celebrates Africa through its raw materials, its flavour profiles, and its exceptional branding."  More on the “cider revolution” may be found HERE.  

(Article by LiquorWise, based on article in The Times)

Thursday 30 March 2017

Gauteng Liquor Board Powerless?

Gauteng Liquor Board - The Gauteng Liquor Board told a provincial parliament committee that it is powerless as, ito the current Gauteng Liquor Act, it -
  • Cannot revoke liquor licences,
  • Cannot refuse to renew liquor licences if complaints or objections are lodged against existing licence holders,
  • Estimates nearly 50% of all liquor traders in Gauteng trade without a liquor licence.
The Gauteng Liquor Board requested the MEC to expedite the introduction of a new Gauteng Liquor Act, something which has been pending for a while.   The Board alleged that this would :
  • Allow faster processing of liquor licence applications, and
  • Result in quick and effective action against illegal liquor outlets.
LiquorWise has experienced a number of shortcomings in the current Gauteng Liquor Act for many years and would welcome the introduction of a new Liquor Act for Gauteng to address the situation.   The legislative process is slow and it usually takes a number of years to get a new liquor act passed and implemented.   The sooner the process is started, the better.
[Article by The Licence Co (LiquorWise Division) from an article in Westside-Eldos]

Thursday 16 March 2017

KZN Liquor Law stop supermarkets from selling liquor

Liquor law – The "fix" many KZN supermarkets are finding themselves in has once again emphasized the need for licence holders to ensure that they are advised by experienced liquor consultants who are legally trained to interpret liquor laws and advise their clients timeously.   Many liquor licensed supermarkets have been caught napping by neglecting to implement a 2014 amendment to the Liquor Act.   It required supermarkets to implement the following :
  • a separate till point;
  • strictly controlled entry and exit points;
  • appropriate signage to be displayed at the entrance to the liquor section within the grocer's store prohibiting entry of minors; and
  • a separate and enclosed demarcated area for retail sale of liquor with a single
These changes had to be implemented within 3 years and many supermarkets seem to have missed the deadline.   The result is that new liquor licence applications will have to be lodged – at substantial cost to current licence holders.  To add to the situation, government authorities have vowed to start inspections soon.       Most of the big supermarket chains have been caught with egg on their face.
(Article by LiquorWise, based on News24 article)

Thursday 9 March 2017

Wine Popsicels – A Tasty Success Story

Liquor products –  One of the biggest wine news items in 2017 is the success of PJ Pops, which has translated into more than R1m in turnover since launched on 1 September 2016.  PJ Pops?  A certain pop singer - Ms PJ Powers - would be the first thing which comes to mind.  It was therefore quite a surprise at the time to learn it referred to Pierre Jourdan Popsicles (not for sale to children).   
PJ Pops was the brainchild of Natasha Alomia, director of JML Consulting.   She partnered with Pick ‘n Pay and Riaan van Niekerk (Clos Cabriere), who had been toying with the same idea.   Three flavours are to be added to the existed two, one of which has been described as slightly sweetened with natural fructose with a velvety sorbet finish to deliver a more decadent dessert experience.   For more on PJ Pops, our readers can click HERE

(Adapted by LiquorWise from article by Vida Booysen - Network24)

Tuesday 7 March 2017

Mpumlanga Liquor Licence Holders Fined and Closed

Liquor licence holders  The Mpumalanga Liquor Board recently partnered several government departments in assisting the police to inspect 35 liquor licence holders in a joint operation.  14 liquor traders had their businesses closed for trading outside of liquor trading hours and 21 were fined for transgressing the conditions of the liquor licences.  
Other offences related to the sale of liquor to minors and for liquor consumed off premises which were licensed for the consumption of liquor on a premises.

(Adapted by LiquorWise from article of Alet Joubert – Network24)

Sunday 5 March 2017

Liquor regulation – Eastern Cape Liquor Board hosts stakeholders

Liquor regulation – The Eastern Cape liquor regulations will be discussed in a workshop by the Eastern Cape Liquor Board (ECLB) and the DTI in East London from 12 – 14 March 2017.  Stakeholders have been invited, but it isn’t open to the public.   Majova-Songca said that Ministers Rob Davies, Lidiwe Zulu and Aaron Motsoaledi will attend, due to “the monitoring of the liquor industry being an inter-governmental exercise.”  The workshop will discuss, amongst other issues,  compliance and monitoring of liquor licence holders, job creation in the liquor industry and the impact of alcohol abuse. 


(LiquorWise Article from Daily Dispatch Article (Siya Boya)

Wednesday 22 February 2017

LIQUOR TAX FOR 2017 - CALCULATE YOUR OWN INCREASE

Liquor Tax -  As usual, we update our readers and members on the effect of the annual Budget on liquor licence holders and consumers.   The table below is our effort at making the depressing increases somewhat more colourful.   For the more curious or statistically inclined, click HERE for a calculation (Fin24) of how much more you will pay for your favourite drink in 2017.  


Sunday 19 February 2017

New (higher) Fees for Western Cape Licence Holders

Liquor Regulations - The proposed, new liquor regulations for the Western Cape were published recently.   Current and potential Western Cape Liquor Licence Holders will be affected on a financial, as well as a practical level.   We firstly highlight the most important financial implications below, such as the increase in annual, renewal fees :

                       (Copyright reserved)

Although fees haven’t increased since 2012, we propose a smaller, annual increase rather than such a big increase every few years. 

A full schedule of new fees is available HERE.

*Any comment from our readers will be included in the comment of the The Licence Co (LiquorWise Division), which will be presented to the provincial minister.