Support South Africa Pt.2

Last year we ran a promotion very close to our hearts, in order to support our South African wineries as they faced their first alcohol ban. Little did they know that this would be the first of many bans inflicted over the next 15 months.

The latest, and fourth, alcohol ban implemented since the start of the pandemic was announced 27 June taking place from midnight that Sunday. The initial two-week ban was extended by another two weeks last Sunday. On top of this, riots have broken out following the arrest of former President Jacob Zuma.

A recent interview with Wines of South Africa took place, in which they disclosed the very real effect that these bans have had on the industry:

“The alcohol industry is deeply disturbed by last night’s decision by the President to ban alcohol sales for 14 days when there is no evidence to suggest alcohol consumption is the driver of the current rise in infection rates.

First and foremost, the government should be concentrating on generating greater efficiency in the country’s vaccine rollout to allow for the economy to open up.”

The ban came into place when President Ramaphosa said the alcohol ban was necessary to ease pressure on hospitals brought by emergency incidents related to drinking.

We reached out to John Seccombe, winemaker at Thorne & Daughters, to gain an insight into what’s happening:

“Needless to say it has been a tough year and a half, and the current situation in KZN and Gauteng has topped it off badly. That being said, there are so many stories coming through this morning about the solidarity between ordinary people working to restore order and calm after the chaos.

We’re lucky to be a very small business focused on exports so we haven’t been as hard hit by the alcohol ban as others, but it has still been a hard year with many of our orders hit by shipping delays due to Covid and the Suez traffic jam. Still we are all very resilient as you well know, so I think we will emerge into a good space.”

This week we’ll be holding a promotion on all South African wines that we stock via our online shop. You can get 15% off with coupon code ‘SUPPORTSA’. Sale ends at midnight this Sunday. Let’s talk, bond and laugh over these incredible wines.