Khama�s departure opens booze gates
Oarabile Mosikare | Wednesday August 30, 2017 18:00
AB InBev, formerly SAB Miller, sponsors the regional tournament through its Castle Lager brand.
Khama’s disdain for alcohol had seen the government coming up with a position forbidding liquor companies from sponsoring sports activities.
There were reports in 2015, that Botswana, which was earmarked as the COSAFA Castle Cup host, had to withdraw as the government remained steadfast on its position on alcohol.
But with Khama’s reign winding down, there has been an immediate positional shift after Cabinet okayed Sports Minister, Thapelo Olopeng’s proposal to host the COSAFA Castle Cup.
Olopeng told Mmegi that they could not turn down the opportunity, even if it is from the alcohol companies.
According to the minister, the government’s position is good, but there could be instances where there were no other potential sponsors than liquor companies.
Olopeng is expected to continue lobbying for a more liberal approach which will see local companies allowed to associate with or fund sports.
Due out of office on March 31 next year, Khama’s term in office had been characterised by a crackdown on alcohol, which resulted in the imposition of a punitive levy, changes to operating hours of bars and the review of traditional beer regulations. Critics have however pointed out that the billions collected in the alcohol levy have not gone towards the rehabilitation of alcohol abusers, but rather towards other causes favoured by Khama administration.