Industry Leaders Unite On Festive Season Road Safety

Four of South Africa’s most influential organisations in road safety gathered at the Consumer Goods Council offices in Sandton last week to commit to coordinated action aimed at reducing December’s historically high crash rates.

I attended the high-level dialogue where the CGCSA, HEINEKEN Beverages, SANTACO, and the Road Traffic Management Corporation laid out concrete plans to address alcohol-related harm and road incidents during the festive season.

The timing is critical. December consistently sees increased traffic volumes and elevated crash rates across South Africa, with last year’s festive season recording thousands of serious road incidents nationwide. The dialogue brought together sectors that directly influence road behaviour, from retail and alcohol manufacturing to taxi transport and law enforcement.

Concrete commitments for December 2025

The partners outlined specific areas where they’ll coordinate efforts over the coming weeks. Consumer education on responsible drinking will expand across retail stores and brand platforms, whilst the taxi industry commits to improved fatigue management and safer rank practices on peak travel days.

The RTMC will increase enforcement visibility along high-risk routes identified through crash and fatalities data. Retailers will strengthen compliance measures to prevent underage and irresponsible alcohol purchases. All sectors will push consistent messaging promoting “Don’t Drink and Drive. Get Home Safely.”

Zinhle Tyikwe, CEO of the Consumer Goods Council, emphasised the retail sector’s reach during the session. “Retailers engage millions of South Africans every day, especially during the festive season. As the CGCSA, we are committed to ensuring that retail spaces promote responsible purchasing behaviour and support national road safety efforts.”

Transport sector addresses peak-period pressures

SANTACO President Motlhabane Abnar Tsebe, although absent from the dialogue, highlighted December’s unique challenges for the taxi industry through an official statement. “December is one of the busiest periods for the taxi industry, and the safety of our passengers remains our highest priority. This dialogue provided a valuable platform to align with partners on fatigue management, driver conduct and safer taxi ranks.”

The taxi sector’s involvement is particularly significant given its role in moving millions of South Africans during the festive period.

Driver fatigue and overcrowding at ranks have been persistent concerns, and SANTACO’s commitment to address these issues through the dialogue represents a direct acknowledgement of the sector’s responsibility.

Enforcement and behaviour change

Refilwe Mongale, Acting CEO of the RTMC, who also was absent, stressed that enforcement alone won’t solve the problem. “The festive season requires heightened vigilance on our roads, especially high-risk areas. Through partnerships like today’s dialogue, the RTMC can strengthen enforcement visibility and deepen behaviour-change communication. It begins with me; it begins with you and all of us! Let us ensure a safe festive season and cross alive to 2026.”

The RTMC’s data-driven approach to enforcement positioning means resources will focus on routes where festive season crashes have historically occurred, rather than random deployment.
Industry takes shared responsibility.

Millicent Maroga, Corporate Affairs Director at HEINEKEN Beverages, made clear that alcohol manufacturers recognise their role in the broader safety ecosystem. “Road safety cannot be solved by one sector alone. Today’s dialogue reflects our shared commitment to encouraging responsible consumption, promoting safer behaviour, and supporting the national call to ‘Don’t Drink and Drive. Get Home Safely.'”

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Papi Mabele

Papi Mabele has a marketing background, he is a digital marketing expert with extensive experience in launching and building global brands in the emerging markets. Papi is also an avid tech writer, enthusiast and all round tech junkie. As a freelance writer and analyst he has been numerously published in Popular Mechanics (SA), GQ South Africa, Premier Magazine, Driven Magazine, Bloem News, Courant, The Weekly, Enthooze Magazine and PiE magazine amongst others.