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Healthy Living Alliance (HEALA)<\/p><\/div>\n
The Healthy Living Alliance (HEALA) has strongly criticised Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana\u2019s decision to increase Value-Added Tax (VAT) instead of raising the Health Promotion Levy (HPL) on sugar-sweetened beverages. HEALA argues that the move favours corporate profits over public health, exacerbating both poverty and the growing crisis of diet-related diseases in South Africa.<\/p>\n
Speaking to Radio Islam International, HEALA\u2019s Policy and Programme Manager, Angelika Grimbeek, described the decision as a missed opportunity to implement a proven public health measure. \u201cThis Health Promotion Levy is there to protect people from drinking these very dangerous, ultra-processed sugar beverages,\u201d she said. \u201cSomething like putting a taxation on a very specific item like a sugar-sweetened beverage really helps people stop buying these products, which ultimately should lead to better health outcomes.\u201d<\/p>\n
The HPL was introduced in 2018 to discourage the consumption of sugary drinks, which are linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and even cancer. Despite research, including government-sponsored studies, showing that increasing the levy could save lives and boost the economy, the Treasury has repeatedly delayed raising the tax, citing concerns from the sugar industry.<\/p>\n
Grimbeek dismissed the industry\u2019s long-standing argument that a higher levy would threaten jobs and disrupt the sector. She pointed to the Sugar Master Plan, introduced in 2020, which was meant to help the industry transition to alternative revenue streams such as biofuel production. \u201cThey have had already five years to be able to start implementing this Master Plan,\u201d she said. \u201cIt seems that the sugar industry constantly uses the Health Promotion Levy as a scapegoat\u2026 and they do so very publicly to the consumer base and to South Africans to make it a very big scare tactic.\u201d<\/p>\n
HEALA insists that stronger regulations are necessary to combat South Africa\u2019s growing health crisis. The organisation supports a broader approach that includes front-of-package warning labels for unhealthy ultra-processed foods high in sugar, salt, and saturated fats. Grimbeek emphasised that HEALA\u2019s advocacy is not an attack on farmers but a call for food justice. \u201cWe believe that every single South African should have equitable access to nutritious food,\u201d she said. \u201cThere shouldn’t be people in South Africa going hungry, and there shouldn’t be this huge issue of food insecurity.\u201d<\/p>\n
With Treasury showing no signs of revisiting its decision, HEALA is now exploring new avenues to push for an increase in the HPL. Grimbeek highlighted the importance of ensuring fair public participation in policymaking, questioning why industry lobbying appears to hold more weight than civil society\u2019s concerns.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy is there a favouritism happening of the sugar industry compared to civil society groups, to public participation processes that should be in place?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n
As the debate continues, HEALA remains committed to pushing for policies that prioritise public health over industry interests. The organisation plans to engage with lawmakers, public health experts, and the broader public to build momentum for an increase in the sugar tax.<\/p>\n