The SAB's efforts are undertaken by some of its beer brands, as well as through its Corporate Affairs division, with the aim of lending a helping hand to improve the lives of those in our community.

The SAB has instituted a number of initiatives aimed at doing good for the community during this pandemic. It has indicated that it has made use of its resources to aid in the manufacturing and delivery of hand sanitisers to the health department.

The SAB says that its access to alcohol, manufacturing plants, distilleries, as well as an extensive fleet and route network, puts it in a great position to help out in this regard and to date, it has donated over 100 000 units of bottles as promised. It has also pledged to donate 40 000 litres of alcohol for the production of additional sanitisers for hospitals in areas that are most impacted. 

Additionally, SAB is assisting the health sector with the procurement of personal protection equipment (PPE) for frontline health workers who are integral to the global response to COVID-19. The SAB donated 100 000 face shields, which are made from recycled beer crates.

In addition to providing aid to health workers, it has come to understand that smaller businesses that rely on partnerships with them for their livelihood are most at risk and SAB's retail partners, especially taverns, have been hit hard by the lockdown.

According to SAB, most tavern owners are the primary and often sole breadwinners that have to support large and extended families. Most have not had an income for weeks and may not have one for the foreseeable future.

SAB has therefore identified 17 000 of its small / med taverns that they would send grocery vouchers for them to buy essentials. And so far, SAB has sent out 13 000 vouchers and will be sending the last few to the right people as they get the correct contact details.

Carling Black Label has expanded its '#NoExcuse' campaign to provide a platform for survivors of domestic abuse who are seeking help. According to minister Bheki Cele, in the first week of the lockdown, there were 2 300 complaints of gender-based violence.

In an effort to assist those without a voice, Carling Black Label is helping survivors seek help without having to make a sound by providing them access to the right organisations through a text-based service.

By sending a WhatsApp message with the word 'BRAVE' to 0800 150 150, consumers will be routed to the correct partner to provide them with assistance. SAB reported that as of Friday, 8 May 2020 about 5 300 people had engaged with the WhatsApp number.

Stella Artois has created an online platform and campaign where consumers can buy a voucher to their favourite local restaurant or bar. Not only will this money go directly to the business, but Stella Artois will add an additional 50% of the value of each voucher.

Beer-makers Castle Lager and Castle Lite also respectively donated large sums of funds to the South African Solidarity Fund which, when combined, amount to over R7-million.

Castle Larger raised their funds by sacrificing the brand's budget, while Castle Lite donated R1 per live stream for each person who tuned into Castle Lite Unlocks: In Bed With on YouTube.

"There truly is strength in numbers. Through unity and cooperation with the government, we can flatten the curve and help protect the health and wellbeing of all South Africans," says SAB vice president of corporate affairs, Zoleka Lisa.

"By supporting our partners and helping our communities through this difficult time, we will come out of this stronger. We encourage all businesses and individuals to do the same, as we stand together at a distance," concludes Lisa.

For more information, www.sab.co.za. You can also follow SAB on Facebook, Twitter or on Instagram.