National Alcohol Summit 2026 to reimagine South Africa’s response to alcohol harm

Johannesburg, September 2026 – As South Africa continues to grapple with the far-reaching social, health and economic consequences of alcohol harm, the National Alcohol Summit 2026 will bring together key stakeholders from across the country to confront what needs to change and chart a more effective path forward.

Hosted under the True Cost of Alcohol Campaign by the Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance of South Africa (SAAPA SA) and its coalition partners, the three-day Summit will take place from 1 to 3 October 2026 at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg, under the theme: “What Needs to Change? Reimagining South Africa’s Response to Alcohol Harm.”

The gathering comes at a time when National Treasury is reviewing fiscal policy aimed at reducing alcohol-related harm which  continues to intersect with some of South Africa’s most pressing social and public health challenges, including road deaths, violence, injury, mental health challenges, harmful drinking among young people and the impact of alcohol use during pregnancy.

Rather than focusing solely on the scale of the problem, the Summit will ask a more pressing question: What needs to change, and what must be done differently to achieve a healthier and safer South Africa?

It also coincides with International No Alcohol Day on 2 October, providing an important opportunity to place renewed focus on the consequences of harmful alcohol use, while encouraging national reflection on the policies, systems and interventions needed to reduce alcohol-related harm.

“The conversation must not end when delegates leave Constitutional Hill,” says Nomcebo Dlamini, SAAPA SA campaign director, adding, “The real test will be what happens afterwards. The Call to Action and the Accountability Framework are therefore critical because they give us a basis from which progress can be measured and commitments can be revisited.”

The convergence of the Summit presents an opportunity to move the conversation beyond individual behaviour and examine the broader factors that shape alcohol consumption and its consequences, including public policy, regulation, taxation, access, marketing, healthcare, road safety, mental health and the protection of vulnerable communities.

Over three days, the Summit will bring together representatives from government, Parliament, civil society, research institutions, youth organisations and communities to engage in a meaningful national dialogue on fiscal and other alcohol harm focused policy, legislation, and societal changes required to strengthen South Africa’s response to alcohol harm.

About SAAPA SA

The True Cost of Alcohol is a national civil society campaign to save lives, reduce harm and restore dignity through targeted alcohol tax reform. The campaign is under the Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance of South Africa (SAAPA SA), a civil society coalition advocating for evidence-based alcohol policies that reduce harm, protect vulnerable populations, and promote healthier communities across South Africa. For more information, visit https://saapa.africa  and https://truecostofalcohol.africa/