Open the booze-gates!

President Ian Khama’s tenure, as had been predicted by many prior to his ascension in 2008, has been characterised by an unrelenting crackdown on alcohol. An alcohol levy was introduced and hiked many times to its current level of 55%, while liquor trading hours were tightened and traditional beer consumption also squeezed. Few today are prepared to argue that the country does not have an alcohol abuse problem, but more will agree that the measures imposed have been heavy-handed and ineffectual at the same time.

Many interests have been injured in the crossfire of Khama’s fight against alcohol abuse. One of these is obviously national sporting fraternity, which until recently was unable to solicit sponsorship from the alcohol industry.