What is SATTA and what is their core focus? The lockdown and banning of tobacco has led to a breakdown in the relationship between government and the tobacco industry. Can this be salvaged? How much money is the tobacco black market making daily, and why is this harmful to South Africans across the board? Has the ban served its purpose? Zacharia Motsumi, spokesperson for SATTA, details why he is advocating for South Africa's government to #LiftTheBan. To pledge your support vist lifttheban.org.
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Farm workers are part of a traditional economy in a digital economy, but what are their options if they can't work on the tobacco farms of South Africa? The knock-on effects of closing down value chains is unquantifiable, has government considered this? 296,000 jobs are under threat right now and tobacco farmer Edna Kloppers joins us to speak about her mission to LiftTheBan - in association with SATTA.
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Soweto Business Access strives to be a game changer in the township economy. The lockdown has had unintended consequences, which are ripping the fabric of the community apart. 30% of the youth are being forced to sell illegal cigarettes instead of being fruit and veg vendors... are we creating criminals by design? Sharing cigarettes due to exorbitant black market prices is a factor in the rapid spread of Covid-19. Mphuthi Mphuthi, Chairperson of Soweto Business Access (SBA), is encouraging government to listen to the people and #LiftTheBan. To join forces, go to lifttheban.org - in association with SATTA.
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What are the personal effects of lockdown on tobacco farmers? Considering the crop cycle, how do we protect the tobacco industry beyond lockdown, by allowing them to continue farming? How many jobs will be lost if the tobacco industry is not reopened immediately? Is government endorsing the illegal trade of cigarettes? How will this banning of the tobacco industry affect the commercialisation of black farmers? Jabulani Tembe is the Secretary of the Black Tobacco Farmers Association (BTFA) and he is urging all South Africans to join the #LiftTheBan movement at lifttheban.org - in association with SATTA.
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When lockdown was imposed, perhaps it should have been considered how value chains work. What cost does the tobacco ban have to the tax coffers? Has the government been in communication with all stakeholders in the value chain to ensure they’re prepared to reopen when the time comes? Finally, what are the societal implications of the ban? Johnny Moloto is working with SATTA and he unpacks the current reality for the tobacco industry. For more info go to lifttheban.org
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