By Petronella Sibeene WINDHOEK While the existence of shebeens has been condemned and further accused of ruining society, the Namibia Shebeen Association (NASA) last week started with its social responsibility programme. This programme aims at promoting education in the usage of alcohol, noise pollution reduction, child welfare, better hygiene standards, and the liquor Act, among others. Some civil organizations have argued that alcohol misuse and shebeens in general are a major public health problem with devastating socio-economic consequences. At the same time, shebeen owners see shebeens as an important business venture for their survival. In an effort to make the two parties tolerate one another and exist in harmony, president of NASA, Veripi Kandenge, said last week his association held a meeting in Okahandja. Kandenge with other relevant stakeholders also visited a settlement, well-known as Five Rand, reputable for its shebeens and hospitality. Kandenge expressed concern over noise pollution, adding that very few people knew about the Liquor Act No. 6 of 1998. “In many townships, people lack information on the Act itself. The situation, as it is right now, calls for education in different areas,” he said. According to Kandenge, shebeens exist in neighbourhoods of residential areas infringing on people’s rights. Noise pollution, hygiene standards, child exposure to public violence and alcohol abuse are attributes associated with shebeens. At the same time, shebeens are created to support lives and allow for affordability of expenses such as sending children to school, creating employment and payment of other necessary bills. Given that, Kandenge says NASA has a responsibility to remind its members that shebeens must curb and maintain good hygiene standards, provide positive use of alcohol, control noise, and cater for the welfare of the child, including not selling alcohol and cigarettes to minors under the legal age of 18 years. “We do not want shebeen-owners to allow children in such premises. Some say they want to play pool; we do not want that,” he said. At the meeting, which was attended by 120 people, NASA representatives also distributed contraceptives such as condoms to different outlets especially where alcohol abusers tend to show their ill characters such as insulting others, unwarranted sexual advances, and rape. “We are trying to promote the positive use of alcohol. This is a way of preventing many ills in the process of enjoying yourselves. Conscious consumption of alcohol calls for good behaviour, maintenance of character and remaining responsible,” he added. The association further intends to encourage community policing where the police will be alerted on societally unacceptable behaviour such as theft and the use of firearms. This was the first such meeting NASA has held this year. The next targeted areas are those in the northern parts of the country. However, the availability of funds will determine how soon the next meeting can be held, and in which town. Meanwhile, hundreds of shebeens remain closed across the country following a stance taken by the police last year to close down all illegal operators in this industry.