Women’s Liquor Industry Symposium on today

THE Kwazulu-natal Liquor Authority in partnership with the Beer Association of SA (Basa) will be hosting the Women’s Liquor Industry Symposium today at the Amanzimtoti Civic Centre.

This event is aimed at providing women-owned businesses in the micro-manufacturing sector with access to critical resources that may prove beneficial to the growth of their businesses in KZN.

The event, which will be run by the first black woman to open a microbrewery in South Africa, Apiwe Nxusani-mawela, will form part of the liquor authority’s social responsibility mandate as they commemorate Women’s Month this August.

The programme will embody a broad spectrum of alcohol industry-related issues and topics. It will be aimed at empowering women and advising them on the developmental opportunities available to them.

KZN Liquor Authority acting chief executive officer Bheki Mbanjwa said this was an effort to support and celebrate women in the alcohol industry and to recognise their pivotal role in ensuring job security and their contribution to the fight against poverty.

“We believe empowered women contribute to the financial stability of their families, communities and the country. The symposium will include talks on compliance, excise taxes and the challenges that women face as micro-manufacturers in a predominantly male-dominated industry.”

ethekwini Municipality mayor Mxolisi Kaunda is expected to open the proceedings, while the chief executive officer of Basa, Patricia Pillay, will be addressing participants.