Social Issues

Foetal Alcohol Syndrome

Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a serious problem in the Western Cape, with recent research showing that up to 11% of children living on wine farms suffer from this syndrome. These children are born with a lifelong disability which affects not only their physical growth and development, but also their mental ability, behaviour and social skills, as a result of the mother drinking excessive amounts of alcohol during pregnancy. Without specialist education, children with FAS struggle to cope in mainstream schools and do not have the opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge which will enable them to become independent adults and achievers within their communities. A number of projects are addressing this problem.

A number of projects are addressing this problem. These include FASfacts, a non-profit organisation established in 2002 to educate communities about the effects of alcohol consumption during pregnancy and the negative impact people with FAS have on society; and the Pebbles Project, which was established in 2004 by Sophia Warner, a special needs teacher from the UK, to offer support to children with special educational needs, particularly those whose lives have been negatively impacted by alcohol. 

The Association for Alcohol Responsibility and Education (AWARE), is a non-profit organisation with the Department of Social Development that is focused on the prevention of the negative consequences of alcohol abuse.  The association’s mission is to reduce alcohol-related harm through combating the misuse and abuse of alcohol beverages and promoting only their responsible use. Members include the major manufacturers of alcohol beverages in South Africa. Click here to read an informative article in Wineland magazine.