Panyaza Lesufi’s #AlcoholFreeSA rant gets mixed responses

Gauteng education MEC, Panyaza Lesufi, once again expressed his yearning for an alcohol-free South Africa over the festive season. 

Lesufi took to Twitter on Wednesday 18 December 2019, referring to a video of a man under the influence of alcohol and said:

“If you care about our nation, alcohol must be stopped on its tracks. We can’t allow this to continue unabated. Defenders of alcohol please accept that this drug is ravaging our nation. It must be stopped. It strips the dignity of our people. #AlcoholFreeSA”

There were Twitter users who agreed, to say that the country would be a better place minus alcohol but then there were those saying it infringes on their freedom.  

Users were bursting with opinions, so much so that the hashtag #AlcoholFreeSA trended at number one on Twitter. 

WATCH: If you care about our nation alcohol must be stopped on its tracks. We can’t allow this to continue unabated. Defenders of alcohol please accept that this drug is ravaging our nation. It must be stopped. It strips the dignity of our people. Just check this #AlcoholFreeSA https://t.co/oXPGOP3TdL

— Panyaza Lesufi (@Lesufi) December 18, 2019

Lesufi adamant on cutting alcohol 

Lesufi expressed his disgust at the rate South Africans consume and purchase alcohol. 

On 29 November 2019, almost three weeks ago on Black Friday, Lesufi took to Twitter, bashing the purchase of alcohol. 

There was a tweet stating that an expensive bottle of scotch whiskey priced close to R400 000 was sold out in no time. In response to that, Lesfui said: “Sold out? I am defeated indeed, we are a phuza nation!” 

‘Phuza’ is the traditional Zulu term for a drink, it follows that ‘phuza Thursday’ is the act of drinking (most commonly binge drinking) on a Thursday night.

In an earlier tweet, Lesufi questioned whether it was possible for South Africa to be alcohol-free. 

Sold out ? I am defeated indeed we are a phuza nation! https://t.co/gHv9i1s6Pn

— Panyaza Lesufi (@Lesufi) November 29, 2019

Mixed Twitter responses  

“We tell people to have sex safely. We don’t tell them to stop altogether because of Aids. We tell people to drive safely, we don’t tell them to avoid cars altogether. Why can’t you tell people to drink responsibly? Been drinking my savanna cider responsibly for four years with no incidents,” said a user.  

“There’s nothing we can accept here everyone reacts different to the intake of alcohol, you can’t take away one thing that unites and shares the love within our people one thing you should be focusing on is service delivery to our people and worry about 4IR,” said a Tweep. 

To which Lesufi responded: “You will thank me one day when a drunk reckless driver takes something precious from you. I hope you will repeat the service delivery story.” 

“I enjoy a glass of wine on a special occasion eg out on a date etc. Don’t make other people’s abusive problems mine and force your views onto me!”

Twitter user

“But you’re misunderstanding me. So unfortunate,” said Lesufi.  

“I support control of alcohol distribution and sale, our youths are the most to be enslaved by alcohol with its dreams shattered before even taking off. Crime and road accident incidents are preceded by alcohol consumption, this drug is indeed destroying society. End this now.” 

“Alcohol-free is like Nancy Reagan telling people to ‘just say no to drugs.’ And we know that didn’t work. Why not teach people to drink responsibly?”

Twitter user.