On a pivotal day for youth safety and community well-being, East London hosted a high-level Underage Drinking Summit that drew together government leaders, civil society, health experts, and community stakeholders. Among the distinguished attendees was MEC Nonqubela Pieters, who lent her support and leadership to the summit. The Eastern Cape Gambling Board also participated actively as a key stakeholder, contributing to discussions on prevention, policy, and community education.
Summit Objectives and Context
Underage drinking remains a pressing public health challenge, with consequences for health, education, and social stability. The summit aimed to:
- Raise awareness of the short-term and long-term harms of underage alcohol use
- Share research evidence, local data, and best practices
- Identify gaps in prevention, enforcement, and community mobilization
- Forge multi-sector partnerships and commitments toward stronger youth protection
MEC Pieters’ Role and Remarks
As a public voice for social development and youth welfare, MEC Nonqubela Pieters addressed attendees with a clarion call for coordinated action. She emphasized that protecting young people from the dangers of alcohol is not only a health imperative, but also essential for sustaining educational attainment, reducing crime, and supporting stronger families.
“Our youth deserve environments where healthy decisions are supported, not undermined.”
She encouraged all participants to commit to tangible interventions and outcomes.
Gambling Board as Stakeholder
The Eastern Cape Gambling Board (ECGB) took part as a stakeholder in the summit, underlining the Board’s broader commitment to responsible social development beyond its core regulatory mandate. The Board’s contributions included:
- Sharing insights on how underage substance use intersects with other risk behaviours
- Advising on the regulation, licensing, and enforcement dimensions that can help reduce youth access to alcohol
- Supporting community outreach, education campaigns, and stakeholder alignment
By participating in the summit, the Gambling Board reaffirmed that it sees youth protection, responsible community development, and social responsibility as integral to good governance and stakeholder engagement.
Outcomes and Commitments
Several positive outcomes emerged from the summit:
- Cross-Sector MOUs: Agreements to align efforts among government, NGOs, police, and health services.
- Community Education Campaigns: Launch of awareness programmes targeting schools, parent groups, and youth organisations.
- Strengthened Enforcement Plans: Commitment to stricter monitoring of underage sales, venue compliance, and community reporting mechanisms.
- Ongoing Monitoring & Evaluation: Frameworks to track reductions in youth alcohol usage, evaluate interventions, and adjust strategies.
MEC Pieters and participating bodies, including the Gambling Board, pledged ongoing collaboration to ensure follow-through. The summit’s momentum is expected to catalyse concrete progress in the Eastern Cape’s battle against underage drinking.
