We take keen interest in the life and health of our people. Anything therefore that advances this quest is very much welcome. We would not want to see our people perish in reckless road accidents due to irresponsible consumption of alcohol. We support any steps towards ensuring that we do not become a nation in a stupor. Uncontrolled and reckless consumption of alcohol cannot take this nation anywhere.  All that we can show for some of its effects is the grown graveyards from people who died because they failed to control or stop drinking. Responsible drinking of alcohol is therefore imperative for the nation to retain its best brains and able people to take up the challenge of developing this country. We as such support the efforts of the Botswana Alcohol Industry Association to promote responsible drinking. We are aware of some of drastic steps taken by government in trying to address this problem. We note the 30% alcohol levy that the government imposed in 2008. While millions of Pula have so far been raised through this levy, its effects are devastating for an industry that was previously contributing handsomely to the economic growth of the country. Many people had been mopped from the streets to work in the alcohol industry. At this stage the main brewer in the country, Kgalagadi Breweries Limited (KBL) cannot any more guarantee future survival with profits having plummeted. There is even talk that the brewer is considering to relocate to countries where the trading environment is more conducive for their kind of business. Who will blame them? Any business needs positive enabling environment and a market to survive.  While still reeling from the effects of the levy, traditional leadership has stepped in to close some of the company’s markets for the traditional beer. We understand and appreciate the need for such measures. However, we equally believe that some form of phased development in which there is positive engagement between the producers and the leadership would have been more helpful to all concerned. We believe stamping out all forms of alcohol and traditional beer abuse is appropriate. However, this must be done in an orderly manner where all stakeholders are involved in the process rather than with reckless abandon – we must consider that some of our people, not businesses, rely on selling alcoholic beverages for their own survival. As we go about the process of eradicating social ills, we should be mindful that other potential investors are also looking in from outside assessing the suitability and safety of investing in the country. If we welcome with one hand and chase with another then we risk losing ground in appealing to any serious investor. We should guard against disrupting our attempts at securing foreign direct investment, however noble our intentions are - lest we fail. Yes, government and traditional leadership should intervene to ensure our people drink responsibly, but at the same time assure investors that they would be able to trade in a conducive environment and not be chased out at the drop of the hat. Lest we be misunderstood, we do not hold brief for any company or organisation doing business in Botswana.