According to Milton Friedman, one of the great economists of the 20th century, “One of the great mistakes is to judge policies and programs by their intentions rather than their results”.

South African barley farmers are bracing for a tough market ahead as demand for the grain used to make beer falls and stockpiles grow after a ban on the sale of alcohol was reinstated as the country battles a surge in COVID-19 cases.

There is a deadly disease inflicting untold misery and hardship on the citizens of the Western Cape, but it isn't Covid – global overreaction, institutional incompetence and coronavirus myopia are the real villains behind this debacle.

As consumers worldwide embrace a sober curious lifestyle, South African wine businesses have been innovating with bold alternatives, shaping consumer perceptions, and challenging traditional norms.