Dear supporters, the Sugary Drinks Tax is under attack by the SA Canegrower’s Association, which is calling for the tax to be scrapped. Like Coca-Cola and Bev SA [1], the association has made misleading claims [2] to protect its industry’s profits. The association talks a lot about job losses and the Sugary Drinks Tax, but they are silent about the Tongaat Hulett corruption scandal, which reportedly cost nearly 8000 workers their jobs [3].
In less than 48 hours, Finance Minister Godongwana will deliver his budget speech. Right now, Treasury is looking at public comments on Facebook and Twitter with the hashtag #TipsForMinFin.
Tweet your budget tip to support the Sugary Drinks Tax here.
Share and like this post on Facebook to support the Sugary Drinks Tax here: https://www.facebook.com/healaSouthAfrica/photos/a.1273925452682924/8753238024751592/
If you aren’t on social media, you can submit a public comment through Treasury’s website, but please do let us know once you have submitted your comment. Comment here: https://web.treasury.gov.za/public/Tips
The introduction of the Sugary Drinks Tax was a hard-won victory. We started standing up against industry greed in 2016. Together with our allies at HEALA, we have petitioned, protested and sent public comments to help get the Sugary Drinks Tax passed and to call for the tax to be increased to 20%. Researchers have found that South Africa’s Sugary Drinks Tax (Health Promotion Levy) is working [4]. We need to keep campaigning to help address diabetes, hypertension, heart diseases and some cancers.
The sugar industry, just like the tobacco and alcohol industries, uses a lot of tactics to delay, dilute and delegitimise public health decisions. But time and again, we have helped counter these tactics by exposing their greed and the cost to people’s health.
Together for justice,
Palesa for the amandla .mobi team
P.S. If you haven’t already, make sure you add your name and share far and wide our petition calling for the Sugary Drinks Tax to be increased to 20% and expanded to include 100% fruit juice. https://awethu.amandla.mobi/petitions/tell-minister-godongwana-to-increase-the-sugary-drinks-tax-to-20-1?source=AM_email20Feb23
[1] How much sugar do we drink in South Africa? Here are the facts. Africa Check. 1 September 2016.
[2] Well-conceived sugar tax needs further strengthening to save lives of millions. Mikateko Mafuyeka and Petronell Kruger for the Daily Maverick. 22 September 2022.
[3] Former Tongaat Hulett bosses in court for fraud. Paddy Harper for the Mail & Guardian. 11 February 2022
[4] Experts’ Letter on the harmful effects of sugar added to beverages and the strong, beneficial, effects of your current Health Promotion Levy. February 2021.