The Northern Cape Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison has declared the weekend of 13-15 December 2013 as the festive season Weekend of Sobriety, in a bid to curb the high levels of alcohol misuse consumption and to raise the awareness on alcohol abuse.

The Weekend of Sobriety campaign is aimed at creating awareness to the public, particularly the youth, women and pregnant women about the adverse effects of alcohol abuse.

The festive season Weekend of Sobriety is encouraged across the province and will be launched in Pixley Ka Seme District as there is an alarming intake of alcohol in the region with De Aar identified as the town with the highest levels of foetal alcohol syndrome in the world.

The weekend seeks to create awareness on the misuse of alcohol, encourage responsible drinking and promote the reduction of alcohol consumption in communities.  

The Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison will be leading an integrated programme between Government Departments, Non-governmental Organisations, and businesses to promote responsible trading and drinking during the festive season. 

Strict law enforcement operations will be intensified along with social crime prevention programmes such as sporting games (pool table competition, netball, etc) and round table discussions as an alternative to drinking.

The Northern Cape Province is sometimes referred to as one of the most violent provinces in South Africa due to high levels of violent crimes reported to the South African Police Service.  The Human Science Research Council (HSRC) indicated that there is a definite relationship between level of drug and alcohol usage and crime, especially violent contact crimes.  

Increased levels of alcohol usage during the festive season impact on high levels of violent crimes.  The annual Weekend of Sobriety is always initiated with a huge success in the Province and this year will be no exception as we aim to raise the bar on compliance.  

The provincial teams will spread throughout the Province to ensure that operations and projects take place with the necessary eager and dedication.

The Department’s Traffic Regulations, Social Crime Prevention, Community Police Relations, and Civilian Secretariat units and the SAPS will be part of the teams rolling out the programme across the province.  

Please activities that will unfold during the Weekend of Sobriety in the province:

Pixley Ka Seme District

Event:  Youth round table discussion on alcohol and drug abuse
Date:  13 Dec 2013
Time:  10:00
Area:  Carnarvon

Event:  Pool Table Competition
Date:  13 – 15 Dec 2013
Time:  09:00
Area:  De Aar and Sunrise, respectively 

Event:  Sports against crime
Date:  14 Dec 2013
Time:  10:00
Area: Carnarvon 

Frances Baard District

Event:   Sports Against Crime
Date:  13 Dec 2013
Time:  10:00
Area:  Kimberley (Soul City)

John Taolo Gaetsewe

Event:  Pool Table Competition
Date:  13 Dec 2013
Time:  10:00
Area:  Batlharos 

Event:  Sports Against Crime – Soccer Tournament
Date:  14 Dec 2013
Time:  10:00
Area:  Batlharos 

Event:  Sports Against Crime – Soccer Tournament
Date:  15 Dec 2013
Time: 10:00
Area:  Batlharos

For any media clarity, please contact:

Keitumetse Moticoe
Communication Officer
Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison
074 251 6567 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (and alternatively This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
053 839 1769

Issued by the Northern Cape Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison