South Africa, May 9 -- The outlet visits, which preceded the roundtable, offered an immersive look at the early successes and real-world impact of the pilot phase of the programme. These township-based outlets are part of a growing movement to formalise and elevate taverns as safe, well-managed social spaces that contribute meaningfully to local economies. Traders shared personal stories of growth, the tangible business benefits of being part of the programme, and how the upgrades have improved both customer experience and community perception.

The roundtable discussion facilitated robust dialogue between stakeholders from industry, civil society, and government, reflecting on learnings from the pilot phase and exploring what it will tak...