Africa's first bi-annual international cocktail and spirits festival, Ajabu, is set to debut in Johannesburg and Cape Town in 2024.

Distell International’s Amarula African Gin is set to debut in Europe next month, starting with the UK, along with its Amarula Cream Liqueur, which has entered the European market for the first time.

Ahead of New Years Eve celebrations, South Africa ended restrictions on the sale of alcohol that have been in place since 27 March 2020.

South Africa has suffered greater than most countries during the Covid-19 pandemic. It has reported three times as many cases as any other African country, and many of the government’s attempts to curb the virus – closing borders, prohibiting or restricting the domestic sale of alcohol, and banning the transport of goods to the country’s ports – have had a damaging impact on the wine industry.

Popular trade show Cape Wine will return to Cape Town from October 5-7, 2022.

The South African government has been urged to scrap its alcohol prohibition in order to avoid “devastating consequences” at home and abroad.

Anheuser-Busch InBev will export African beer brands with ‘huge potential’ to its global market.

SABMiller is to launch a second cassava beer in Africa. Eagle will launch in Ghana and it will be brewed by SABMiller’s local subsidiary, Accra Brewery.

SABMiller is to invest US$40 million in a new 260,000 hectolitre brewery in Namibia as part of its strategy to expand its operations across Africa.

on 27 September, 2012

You have to hand it to Wines of South Africa. They know how to organise an event. To say Cape 2012 is just another trade show, would be a great injustice and understatement.

After 14 years with McGuigan Wines, Paul Schaafsma, Accolade Wines’ general manager for the UK, Ireland, Africa, Middle East and South America, is acquainting himself with the company and the clock is ticking on the 90 days he has to come up with a strategic plan.

Wines of South Africa has announced that the first wines to carry South Africa’s new, fully traceable, ethical seal will be showcased at Cape Wine 2012, later this month.

Su Birch, CEO of Wines of South Africa (WoSA) is the winner of Wine Intelligence’s inaugural ‘10 for 10 Business Award’.

Diageo has completed the acquisition of the Meta Abo Brewery in Ethiopia for US$225 million.

Diageo is aiming to make Guinness the biggest beer brand by value in Africa with the launch of a pan-market ad campaign.

Pernod Ricard is rolling out its Olmeca tequila liqueurs in South Africa.

South Africa: Patron has launched its first billboard campaign outside of the US. 

Africa: Heineken has purchased two breweries in Ethiopia for a total of US$163 million. 

Africa: Diageo’s Guinness Nigeria has committed £225million (NGN 55 billion) to expand its brewing operations. The company has said this will create 200 permanent jobs for Nigerians.

South Africa: The KWV board has announced that CEO Thys Loubser (pictured) has resigned as company CEO with immediate effect.

Diageo has reported an 4% increase in organic net sales growth for H2 of 2010, despite a drop of 3% in Europe.

Africa: Heineken has announced the acquisition of two holding companies from the Sona Group. The two acquired businesses have controlling interests in each of the Sona, IBBI, Benue, Life and Champion breweries in Nigeria.

First Cape Wines has announced it will sponsor the British and Irish Lions rugby tour of Australia in 2013.

Irish whiskey Jameson has launched a new expression in South Africa. Jameson Select Reserve is made from a blend of small batch grain whiskey, not found in any other Jameson expression, and single Irish pot still whiskey.

Wines Of South Africa’s (WOSA) first Sommelier World Cup has been won by an American.

SABMiller has recorded double-digit lager sales growth in its African and Asian markets

UK: Alcohol awareness charity Drinkaware has launched a programme to help fans stay safe and drink responsibly throughout the World Cup this summer, whether they’re travelling to South Africa or watching from the UK.

The South African wine industry has launched a new sustainability seal, as a guarantee of environmentally-sensitive production.

Confusion reigns in South Africa as new reports suggest mining applications in the winelands have not been withdrawn.

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