Forever Committed: For 130 Years, SAB's Legacy Is South Africa's Story
In a country as complex and extraordinary as South Africa, few companies can say their history is bound as tightly to the nation's progress as ours. 130 years ago, South Africa was a land of possibility, booming with gold, bursting with change, and bracing for a new century. That same year, in 1895, a brewer named Charles Glass started something small in Johannesburg that would go on to become something much bigger: a business rooted in South African soil, shaped by South African people, and built to serve South African communities.
South African Breweries (SAB) is part of the nation's economic and cultural DNA. But this isn't just a story about a company, it's about what happens when a business grows with a country, not just in it. From the early days, brewing wasn't just about beer, it was about building something sustainable. Today, 95% of what we produce is locally sourced. That means value chains that run deep into the heart of South African agriculture, logistics, small businesses and local suppliers. It means jobs, with one in every 66 supported by the beer industry. It means platforms for entrepreneurs, ladders for upward mobility, and consistent investment in infrastructure and innovation. This is what it looks like when an industry is built for inclusion.
Of course, the real test of commitment isn't in the good times, it's in the hard ones. SAB stayed when others left. We invested when others paused. In the 1980s and early 1990s, as the country faced its most pivotal political and social shifts, we took action. We empowered Owner-Drivers. We created jobs. We diversified our leadership. We used our fleet to deliver ballot papers in 1994's first democratic elections, because playing a role in history is part of our responsibility.
Representation wasn't just something we added to our advertisement, it was something we believed in from the start. Our brands have championed South Africa's diversity, passion, and spirit long before it was expected, and long after it became the norm. From sponsoring Bafana Bafana and the Springboks at critical national moments to celebrating the everyday heroes who make our country what it is, we've stood not just beside South Africa, but inside it.
Innovation has been a constant, not just in our products but in how we think. We were the first to launch a low-alcohol beer, the first with flavoured beer, the first with an alcohol-free option. Today, brands like Brutal Fruit and Flying Fish are reaching beyond our borders. They carry with them the message that local excellence can lead globally.
But our impact isn't measured only in bottles brewed or brands built. It's in how we show up when it matters. South Africa faces real challenges: youth unemployment, social inequality, gender-based violence, erosion of trust in institutions. Businesses can't afford to be bystanders. Our initiatives, like the SAB Foundation and SAB Sharp, are aimed squarely at helping build a more inclusive, responsible future. Supporting small businesses. Empowering women. Changing behaviour around harmful alcohol use. Because growth without accountability isn't real growth.
Looking forward, we understand that legacy isn't something you inherit, it's something you earn, every day. In how you treat people. In how you partner with communities. In how you build towards progress, even when the path is difficult.
So, what does 130 years really mean? It means we've been around long enough to know that words matter, but actions matter more. That real change doesn't come from standing at the centre of the story, but from helping write a better one, together.
SAB is not just part of South Africa's past. We're part of what comes next. A more inclusive economy. A more responsible society. A more united country. We're not just raising a glass to where we've been. We're investing in where we're going.
Author: Zoleka Lisa
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
40 minutes ago
- The South African
Cape Town City plot return to Betway Prem to save sponsorships
Cape Town City chairman John Comitis has revealed bold plans to return his club to the Betway Premiership, with the purchase of a top-flight status now a serious option. In a candid interview on MSW , Comitis admitted that City's relegation to the Motsepe Foundation Championship could trigger the loss of vital sponsors, including banking powerhouse FNB. He stressed that the club must return to the PSL immediately to avoid a damaging fallout. 'Well, you know, that's always an option because the PSL has allowed an entry and a window of opportunity for clubs to do that,' Comitis explained. Comitis didn't hold back when highlighting the financial strain relegation brings, particularly in the area of commercial partnerships. 'I don't think we would be able to carry any sponsorship in the NFD, and quite rightly so, there's no exposure there. It's a long, hard road,' he stated. He made it clear that the loss of television exposure and funding at second-tier level leaves little incentive for top-tier sponsors to remain involved. Comitis emphasised the need to provide a high-performance environment for the club's players, including 15 youth internationals currently in the academy. 'They don't want to be playing for an NFD club in their future; they want to be at a PSL club, and quite rightly so. We've created a lot of value in these players for themselves and the club,' he said. He argued that keeping the club in the lower division does a disservice to both the players and South African football, considering the development pipeline City has cultivated over the years. Comitis insisted that purchasing a PSL spot may be the only realistic way back into the league in time to save the club's business model and maintain relevance. 'There's a certain amount of funding and exposure you have at the PSL level, which you need to create value for your players and your club. All these things don't exist in the NFD,' he stressed. Despite the uncertainty, Cape Town City have already taken action to prepare for the 2025/2026 season. 'We're working around the clock to see what the possibilities are. We've already got our new coach who's arrived in the country for next season, either way,' Comitis confirmed. His proactive approach underlines how seriously the club views the need for a swift return to top-tier football, especially with their youth system, sponsorships, and long-term vision all at stake. Who will Cape Town City buy to get back to the top flight? Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
2 hours ago
- The Citizen
Poultry impasse leaves SA factories idle and jobs on the line
As Brazil rejects South Africa's poultry import paperwork, local meat processors warn of job losses, protein shortages and surging food costs While there was a sigh of relief after SA partially lifted the ban on poultry due to bird flu, Brazil authorities refused to accept the wording on SA's import health certificate, leaving importers without Brazil's stock high and dry a week later. 'Some of our processors had been forced to lay off staff because factories were silent. The fact that we still can't import mechanically deboned meat (MDM) is disastrous for our members,' said Gordon Nicoll, chair of Sampa, a voluntary association of stakeholders in the meat processing sector. 'Even if stock is shipped immediately, we will most likely only receive it in August, which means factories have lain idle for three months. No manufacturing business can sustain that,' he said. Protein scarcity drives up food prices The shortage of MDM meant stocks of affordable protein in the country were critically low, which had resulted in a rise in food prices, Nicoll said. 'With beef prices also significantly up, meat and protein have become much more expensive for South Africans. 'In a country where malnutrition is a real problem and where most of the population is struggling to survive, this is catastrophic. 'We are urgently calling on Brazil and South Africa to find a solution to this impasse before food prices rise even more, more jobs are lost and more businesses closed,' he said. ALSO READ: SA might run out of chicken as bird flu import row ruffles feathers In addition to food shortages and rising prices, tens of thousands of jobs were at risk because of the ban, with the meat processing industry employing more than 125 000 people, Nicoll warned. A call for vaccine investment and regulatory reform Agricultural economist Wandile Sihlobo said the outbreak served as a reminder for South Africa to invest in vaccine development and maintain an agile regulatory system that facilitates the commercial registration and release of vaccines when necessary 'Over the years, the domestic poultry industry which has increased its production of poultry, being one of the most affordable proteins in the country, also faces rising demand. 'As a result, South Africa remains a net importer of mechanically deboned meat. This import exposure always raises a range of concerns when there are glitches in the supplying countries,' Sihlobo said. Regionalised ban seen as a more viable approach In recognition of Brazil's significant influence on the global poultry supply, some food processors have raised concerns about potential disruptions to their supply chains. 'The intention, I believe, was to urge the South African regulators to soften the restrictions and not apply a broad approach to Brazil, but a regionalised approach, which is now the active approach. After all, the outbreak was mainly in the state of Rio Grande do Sul,' he said. The temporary ban was necessary to prevent the transfer of any diseases and protect domestic poultry production. ALSO READ: 'Lifting Brazil chicken ban only hurts local producers,' says Sapa 'This regional approach, which is now active in South Africa, is also a policy direction that Namibia has followed,' he said. The poor hit hardest Southern African Agri Initiative's Francois Rossouw said the continued deadlock between Brazil and South Africa over the technicalities of poultry import certification was deeply concerning. 'The ripple effect of this delay is not abstract, it hits real South African families, especially in rural and low-income areas where affordable protein is already scarce. 'Farmers are part of an interconnected value chain and when factories fall silent, demand for locally produced spices, casings, packaging and transport also collapses,' he said. The shortage of MDM was not merely a trade issue, it was a food security and jobs emergency, Rossouw said. 'We urge both governments to urgently resolve the remaining bureaucratic hurdles. At a time when hunger is on the rise and the economy is under pressure, policy decisions must reflect the realities of ordinary South Africans. 'Every week of delay puts more jobs, more plates and more dignity at risk,' he said. What is bird flu? Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is also known as bird flu. It is widespread in wild birds worldwide and is causing outbreaks in poultry and even dairy cows. NOW READ: Bird flu: worry not, it is safe to eat eggs and chicken
IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
South African poultry industry faces uncertainty despite Brazil's avian flu declaration
Farming associations have welcomed news that Brazil declared itself free of the Avian flu outbreak earlier this week. Image: supplied Farming associations across South Africa are cautiously optimistic following Brazil's announcement earlier this week that it has declared itself free of the recent avian flu outbreak. This declaration comes in the wake of the Department of Agriculture lifting its ban on the import of poultry and poultry products from Brazil, though only partially. The ban had initially been enforced after the outbreak was contained to one state in Brazil. South African meat producers on Thursday raised red flags, however, cautioning that despite this promising news, a shortage of Mechanically Deboned Meat (MDM) was still anticipated in the local market. Francois Rossouw, CEO of Southern African Agri Initiative (Saai), said Brazil would need to provide sufficient evidence on their Avian Flu health for the department to completely lift the ban on poultry. 'The Department of Agriculture should carefully assess Brazil's current biosecurity measures and disease management strategies. However, it is essential to ensure that any imports do not pose a risk to our local poultry industry,' he said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Rossouw added that the news that Brazil declared itself free of Avian flu could be seen as a double-edged sword for the South African poultry industry. 'On one hand, it may lead to increased competition, which could benefit consumers through lower prices. On the other hand, local farmers may face challenges in competing with imported poultry products. It is crucial for us to support local farmers by promoting best practices in biosecurity.' Rossouw said that Brazil's declaration indicates that they have effectively managed the outbreak, which is commendable. However, Izaak Breitenbach, the CEO of the South African Poultry Association, said raised concern about poultry imports from the United States, who themselves face an Avian Flu outbreak. Breitenbach said all poultry-producing states in the US had been affected, and 27 of those states are currently banned by the South African authorities from exporting poultry to this country. 'Decisions on which US states could or could not export poultry to South Africa should be taken by South Africa, not the US. These decisions have previously been taken by the Department of Agriculture, based on US notifications to the World Organisation of Animal Health. However, the department has now allowed the US to 'self-impose and self-lift' bird flu restrictions,' he said. 'By granting the United States the right to determine its own disease status and export policies, the department has created a serious conflict of interest. The risk is palpable: a country grappling with widespread outbreaks of bird flu can now prioritise its own interests and potentially expose South Africa to the very disease that cost this industry R9.5 billion and wiped out 30% of its long-living chicken flock in 2023. We call on the DoA to end this 'concession' and restore its role as a protector of the local industry.' The SA Meat Producers Association (Sampa) warned that processed meat producers have or will soon run out of MDM because of an impasse between South Africa and Brazil over the technicalities of lifting a ban on poultry from the South American nation. A refusal by Brazilian authorities to accept the proposed wording on South Africa's Import Health Certificate means Brazilian poultry is still unavailable to importers and manufacturers over a week later. Gordon Nicoll, chairperson of Sampa, said they were delighted the department delighted when announced last week that it would accept poultry and poultry products from non-affected Brazilian provinces as members had not received stock of MDM for almost two months. 'Some of our processors had been forced to lay off staff because factories were silent. The fact that we still can't import MDM is disastrous for our members. Even if stock is shipped immediately, we will most likely only receive it in August, which means that factories have lain idle for three months. No manufacturing business can sustain that,' Nicoll said.
