Cape Town – South Africa has once again found itself at the centre of a heated debate over alcohol policy, as civil society organisations push for significant changes to the country’s legal drinking age and broader alcohol regulations.
The latest call comes from Gatekeepers South Africa, an East London-based non-profit organisation, which has reignited national discussion by urging President Cyril Ramaphosa and lawmakers to raise the legal drinking age from 18 to between 21 and 23.
The organisation argues that stricter alcohol laws are urgently needed to curb widespread abuse, which it links to domestic violence, drunk driving, gender-based violence, femicide and Foetal Alcohol Syndrome.
According to Gatekeepers’ members, existing legislation has failed to adequately address these harms. Speaking on behalf of the organisation, Lizelle Maurice told The South African that the consequences of alcohol abuse are severe and far-reaching: “A good few years ago, legislation was brought in to stop the advertising of cigarettes because it was harmful to our lungs… The abuse of alcohol has far worse repercussions.”
Gatekeepers South Africa has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to raise the country’s legal drinking age by five years. It proposes that the minimum age for purchasing alcohol be increased from 18 to 23 and banning of alcohol advertising in all public spaces. Founding Director… pic.twitter.com/WznL9XZe5R
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) January 6, 2026
The push to raise the drinking age, however, is not new. Historical proposals — including provisions contained in the Liquor Amendment Bill first introduced in 2016 — recommended increasing the national minimum age for alcohol consumption from 18 to 21.
At the time, the proposal was framed as a preventative measure aimed at delaying alcohol initiation among young people, based on evidence suggesting that early exposure is linked to higher risks of alcohol-related problems later in life.
Supporters of age increases point to broader calls within civil society for stronger alcohol harm-reduction policies. The Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance (Saapa), for example, has repeatedly advocated for a higher drinking age alongside other interventions to curb underage drinking.
In previous discussions, Saapa spokesperson Terri-Liza Fortein stressed the need for comprehensive reform, saying: “We are calling for a number of alcohol harm reduction interventions which include raising the legal drinking age to 21.”
Beyond age limits, alcohol policy reformers are also pushing for wider regulatory changes. Gatekeepers’ recommendations include banning alcohol advertising in public spaces — similar to existing restrictions on tobacco marketing — and imposing tougher penalties on businesses that sell alcohol to minors.
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Compiled by Lisabeal Nqamqhele
