Sugar tax no bitter pill, says Coca Cola

In his inaugural State of the Nation Address recently, President Mokgweetsi Masisi said the government was considering its options to reduce the consumption of sweetened products, particularly beverages.

Many commentators read the statement as a hint that government was considering a tax on sweetened products, particularly beverages, a route already taken by South Africa and numerous other countries facing public health challenges such as overweight, obesity and associated chronic ailments. “Amongst the contributing factors to the high prevalence of overweight and obesity is the increased consumption of sugar sweetened products, especially beverages.