Drinking Hours May Be Extended in Northern Cape During Cup

Officials in the Northern Cape are considering a plan to extend drinking hours at pubs until 2 in the morning during the World Cup. The move is being called an effort to create a "relaxed social atmosphere".

[Economic development and tourism MEC John Block] was considering amending the province's new Liquor Act to allow drinks to be sold until 02:00 in bars, restaurants, taverns and hotels.

The amendment, gazetted on April 7, came seven days after the province's new Liquor Act came into force, restricting the sale of liquor until midnight.

NCape may relax pub rules for SWC
News24
April 14, 2010

Beer Sales Expected to See Surge During World Cup

Officials from the industry association South African Breweries expect beer sales to increase by about 4%-6% during the World Cup.

While it was difficult to predict how much extra beer would be consumed, it was estimated that SAB would sell an additional 100 000 hectolitres of beer during the five-week World Cup period.

This equates to about 20-million 500ml beers or 30-million 340ml beers.

"This is over and above normal consumption during the June/July period," SAB 2010 marketing manager Alastair Hewitt said in a statement.

Beer sales set to rise during World Cup
Mail and Guardian
March 2, 2010

Local Businesses Upset Over High Alcohol Permit Fee

New alcohol permitting rules set to take effect during the World Cup place a high price on selling alcohol anywhere tournament matches are being broadcast. The permit fee is 50,000 rand (~$6,600 USD). Local business people are not happy about the cost.

According to the "2010 Soccer World Cup Liquor Policy" any "public viewing event" where matches are broadcast to an audience - "general public or otherwise" - will need the special licence to sell alcohol.

The legislation would affect anyone hoping to benefit from the World Cup by attracting people to watch games and drink anywhere "other than a private dwelling".

World Cup booze plan fury
Pretoria News
February 18, 2010