Intoxicating Africa

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Amy Meyerson

Ms. Tompkins

World Literature Honors

3/11/15

Intoxicating Africa

“Nigerian palm-wine ‘Crazy Man in the Bottle’; Botswana’s ‘The dizzy spell’; Zimbabwean ‘Scud’; ‘I Regret’ from the Democratic Republic of Congo; and ‘Jet-5’, a liquor in Kenya that derives its name from the stolen jet fuel that gives it its kick (Lythgoe).”  These are some names of dangerous alcoholic beverages in Africa; simply their titles make a statement about what they must be like to drink. If that sounds deadly enough, it is only the start of everything alcohol has invoked on Africa. Since the introduction of the “dop” system of South Africa, where Cape farm workers were being paid in wine for their labor, the intake of alcoholic drinks has spiraled out of control. During apartheid times, the good liquor was restricted to whites only, resulting in the popularization of shebeens, unlicensed establishments selling alcohol. The shebeens created an outlet for poverty, so their selling of illegal liquors also contributed to alcoholism on the rise in Africa, even as apartheid times have faded and the natives have been granted full access to alcohol (Machinations). Currently, a competition persists between national commercial alcohol companies and unsafe homemade brews, leaving the continent unsure how to move forward with the struggle (Lythgoe). Alcohol is becoming more popular in Africa, and it is creating a lot of issues because the continent is not prepared to handle the problems that come with it.

In Africa’s current state, only detrimental results can come from an influx of alcohol. A recent study by the World Health Organization concluded that Africa has the largest proportion of binge drinkers in the world: 25 percent of the population (Lythgoe). Binge drinking is where one drinks a large amount of alcohol in a short amount of time, with the intention of becoming intoxicated. This statistic exemplifies that so many Africans want to be intoxicated, desiring a feeling of disconnection or a silence to their thoughts. Binge drinking is a different level of drinking because alcohol becomes less of a party drink and more of a tormenting addiction when consumed in excess. Making the situation more unfortunate, Africa is not prepared to handle such an epidemic. Time magazine claims that, “Primary health care providers aren’t equipped to deal with the health effects. There is little or no recourse for irresponsible acts like driving while intoxicated...” (Hatcher).” First, alcohol is commonly linked to poor health, sickness, and deaths when consumed in excess. With limited preparedness, the health care providers in Africa cannot approach the issue. This is only setting the stage for a higher amount of sick citizens, many of whom are already dealing with poverty, disease, and other immense challenges. Also, there is no help around drunk driving, which is sure to come as more Africans begin to drink, and in large amounts. The problem will increase crimes and fatalities within the accidents. Alcohol hurts life in Africa, and it is spread even more as big brewers see the continent as a perfect place to get more money.

Alcoholism has become worse in Africa as international companies continue to expand there. An article by Think Africa Press presents that “Diageo [an international drink corporation] has seen African profits rise 15% in each of the last five years, while the African market now accounts for 14% of their total profits. Meanwhile, SABMiller has plans to sink $2.5 billion investment into Africa in the next five years (Lythgoe).” This may be a good thing for the companies, but they are taking advantage of Africa, an already struggling continent, for their own monetary benefit. Because the companies have come in, African deputies would rather have the people buying the drinks by international brewers than the illicit concoctions, so they have made the corporate ones cheaper and easier to get (Lythgoe). However, changing around the type being consumed does not serve to attack the entire issue of alcoholism in Africa. Popularizing and cheapening the drinks from large companies will make alcohol more popular and create more of Africa’s drinkers: binge, to be specific. Since these companies have come in with financial ambitions, Africa has been given yet another source of the drink that is intoxicating their public.

With the negative health effects of alcohol, the high amount of binge drinkers, and the commercial growth of large alcohol companies, this fermented beverage has plagued Africa with real challenges. Its growth breeds a public with increased susceptibility to sickness and death, due to the continent’s limited resources for solving alcohol-related woes. When grand businesses solicit their drink, Africans are attracted to the popularity and price, disregarding alcohol’s negative effects. Africa has been dealing with alcoholism for some time, and time will tell when the issue can come to a close.

Works Cited

"Alcohol Abuse Has Roots in Colonial Machinations." Global Issues in Context. Galegroup, 27 Sept. 2013. Web. 9 Mar. 2015.

Hatcher, Jessica. "Africa’s Drinking Problem: Alcoholism on the Rise as Beverage Multinationals Circle | TIME.com." World Africas Drinking Problem Alcoholism on the Rise as Beverage Multinationals Circle Comments. TIME Magazine, 9 Aug. 2013. Web. 10 Mar. 2015.

Lythgoe, Luke. "Trouble Brewing: Africa and Alcohol Problems." Think Africa Press. Think Africa Press, 14 Jan. 2013. Web. 10 Mar. 2015.