South African (SA) non-governmental Organisation (NGO) Gatekeepers has urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to raise the legal drinking age from 18 to between 21 and 23.
The organisation is also calling for tighter controls on alcohol sales and consumption, citing links to domestic violence, traffic accidents, and other social problems.
Lizelle Maurice, Founding Director of Gatekeepers SA, said raising the age would act as a deterrent, giving young people more time to mature before being exposed to alcohol. She pointed to gatherings such as “pens down” parties, where underage drinkers meet in public spaces with alcohol transported by taxis, as examples of risky behaviour the measure could help curb.
Maurice noted that scientific research shows the human brain only fully develops around age 25, meaning that delaying alcohol consumption could reduce early addiction and support safer decision-making. She added that international experience, such as in the United States, suggests higher legal drinking ages can lower alcohol-related harm among youth.
–ChannelAfrica–
