SAB launches eight-pack
‘Beers of Africa’ initiative to raise funds to provide one million meals for students
SOUTH African Breweries (SAB) has launched an eight-pack of iconic beers named “Beers of Africa” to raise funds to provide one million meals to students by next year.
The company said the first edition of the beers would be showcased in various countries across Africa.
SAB and Anheuser Busch Inbev Africa brand director for high-end and global brands, Alastair Hewitt, said the Beers for Africa concept was about bringing the tastes of eight of the best beers from Africa to South Africa and then the world.
Hewitt said the initiative was about using business as a tool to fight hunger, one of the biggest problems in Africa.
“Given the uniqueness of the Beers of Africa pack, we decided to opt for an eight-pack of beers that offers consumers more of a ‘Taste of Africa’, as well as more variety to really make this pack a collector’s item,” Hewitt said, adding that the initiative also sought to provide one million meals for students by 2018.
Partnership
“Under our Better World ethos, SAB wants to make a real difference in society and for this reason we have partnered with Stop Hunger Now SA (SHNSA) to make a real difference to students who are working hard to better their education but studying on an empty stomach.”
Each of the beers represents six African countries: South Africa’s Castle Lager, Botswana’s St Louis, Lesotho beer Maluti Premium Lager, Manica, 2M and Laurentina Preta from Mozambique, Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro Premium Lager and Zambezi Premium Lager from Zimbabwe.
Hewitt said it was difficult to select the eight as Africa had a range of good tasting beers.
He said the decision was based on taste and shelf life. The brewer said it had partnered with SHNSA, an international non-profit organisation that co-ordinates the distribution of food and other lifesaving aid worldwide.
It said the initiative would support students to obtain an education and move out of poverty. SHNSA chief executive Saira Khan said malnutrition and hunger killed more people annually than HIV/ Aids, malaria and tuberculosis combined. Khan said a pilot study within the universities revealed 40 percent of students failed due to hunger. “In South Africa alone, 3.165 million children suffer from household hunger and malnutrition, while globally supplies of food exceed demand,” said Khan.
Hewitt said that through SHNSA each pack sold would contribute a wholesome meal to three students across the continent. “A memorandum of understanding between SAB and SHNSA was signed at the launch event on Thursday and both parties are extremely excited about the initiative – feeding students,” said Hewitt.
Ricardo Tadeu, Africa zone president AB Inbev and SAB, said the group had other plans besides providing meals to the poor.
“We will be supporting agricultural development in the different countries as each beer will be sourced locally, with the key ingredients grown by local farmers,” said Tadeu.