Shebeens? Please leave them alone!

I get so mad when I read about shebeens and renewed attempts to shut down illegal ones

I live in a disadvantaged area. We have several shebeens here. I don't know whether they are licenced or not, but I do not care. There are thousands of businesses in townships, villages and suburbia which are not registered either. I seldom, if ever, read reports that little clothing manufacturers, engineering shops, hairdressers and many other business types which operate from garages and homes in towns are going to be blitzed or forced to register for tax and in accordance with other legislation. It's always the shebeens that make the headlines.

Now, let me put the record straight. I do not drink, do not run a shebeen and have no need for one. However, I know what I see happen around me.

The majority of people in our community does not have cars or any independent means of transport. The closest other little village is about five kilometers far and the nearest town about seventeen. The nearest hotel requires walking across a very busy main road with cars whizzing by. People cannot simply get into a car and go for a drink at a nice pub or hotel. Therefore, a shebeen within safe walking distance is the only other option.

I'd rather my husband drink around the corner and walk home safely without having to cross any busy road, than get into a car, drive several kilometers to the nearest drinking hole and possibly get caught or have an accident under the influence.

The majority of homes here are too tiny for groups of men to meet and socialize. The shebeen is therefore a meeting place for the men and they have an opportunity to interact with one another which they would not otherwise have. This valuable social function, a pub in town, filled with anonymous men from different areas, cannot fulfill.

The shebeens here charge less for a quart of beer than a conventional pub or hotel - that, according to my husband. I have bought a pack of cigarettes there and paid only R 1.00 more than I would have paid at Checkers or the grocery shop nearby. Bearing in mind the cost of fuel, I believe I am getting a bargain.

I understand the issue of licencing, but our shebeen owners are not rich at all. They cannot afford the licences and associated requirements.They run their little shebeens as a social service and not as a huge profit making venture. Our community is not complaining.

As far as I am concerned, the authorities and police have much more important work to do than to check up on shebeens no one is complaining about. If a community is unhappy about a shebeen because of noise or any other undesirable element related to its existence, action should be taken.

But until then, PLEASE LEAVE THEM ALONE!