Geordin Hill-Lewis, Mayor of Cape Town; Michel Doukeris, CEO of AB InBev; and Louise Stafford, country director for The Nature Conservancy South Africa clearing invasive pines at the Boland Mountain Nature Reserve on World Water Day.
Image: Supplied
South African Breweries (SAB) has partnered with the Mayor of Cape Town, the Nature Conservancy (TNC), and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) to celebrate World Water Day.
The event was on Friday held against the backdrop of the Boland Mountain Nature Reserve, where SAB showcased its ongoing dedication to restoring essential water sources, strengthening local ecosystems, and supporting communities dependent on reliable access to clean water.
As one of the world’s most water-scarce nations, South Africa faces mounting challenges in water availability, prompting SAB to heighten its focus on effective water stewardship.
With nature-based interventions in key water source areas, the collaboration has already led to the successful replenishment of 3.3 billion litres of water through the clearing of invasive and non-indigenous plants across 1 367 hectares in the Western Cape.
This initiative is part of SAB’s broader strategy to ensure water security while promoting sustainable business practices.
“By partnering with the City of Cape Town, SAB and WWF, we are scaling upconservation efforts that not only improve water security but also create economicopportunities for local communities,” said Daniel Shemie, TNC global director of fresh water resources.
“No single organisation alone can reduce water risk atthe scale required in water stressed regions like South Africa. This hard work requires acoalition of partners and the collective leadership of both the public and private sectors.”
Water holds paramount importance for SAB as it is the primary ingredient in beer production.
In South Africa, where rainfall averages about 40% lower than the global average, the significance of this resource cannot be understated. For SAB, safeguarding water resources transcends corporate responsibility; it is an economic and environmental obligation.
As Africa's leading brewer, SAB sees protecting water resources not just a corporate responsibility but as an economic andenvironmental imperative.
Michel Doukeris, CEO of AB InBev, SAB’s parent company, highlighted the importance of sustainable water stewardship in business operations, emphasizing that effective water management was essential not only for environmental preservation but also for the long-term success and resilience of businesses.
“Water is the number one ingredient in beer. As the world’s leading brewer, we are focused on finding solutions to water challenges,” said Doukeris.
“We strive to enhance water availability, quality,and access where we operate, including in South Africa, one of the world’s most water-scarce countries.”
To enhance water efficiency throughout its operations and supply chain, SAB has adopted a holistic water risk management approach.
Recent innovations include the installation of H2OK, a start-up that employs advanced sensors to monitor and reduce water usage, at its Newlands brewery in Cape Town.
Coupled with technological improvements, SAB has placed equal importance on nature-based solutions that specifically tackle local water availability issues.
SAB’s focus extends to addressing the substantial water loss resulting from invasive alien plants like black wattle, eucalyptus, and pine, which can consume up to 60% more water than indigenous species.
By engaging in targeted conservation efforts, the company has contributed to the restoration of crucial water resources within these ecosystems.
These initiatives have played a critical role in safeguarding local water resources, ensuringa sustainable water supply for both the environment and the community.
Beyond environmental impact, this project has also had a positive impact on the local economy, creating jobs and providing valuable technical skills training to local communities.
Richard Rivett-Carnac, CEO of SAB, echoed Doukeris’ sentiment, reinforcing SAB’s commitment to long-term water sustainability.
“Water security is fundamental to ourbusiness and our communities. Through strong partnerships such as these, we are able todrive impactful solutions that replenish vital water sources, create jobs, and ensure asustainable future for all,” he said.
Geordin Hill-Lewis, Mayor of Cape Town, said water was the lifeblood of the city, its economy, and communities.
“It is through collaborative efforts like this that we can secure a sustainable future for Cape Town’s water supply,” Hill-Lewis said.
“The partnership between us, SAB,WWF, and TNC demonstrates the impact that private and public sector collaboration can have when we combine resources and actively contribute to preserving our natural resources.”
BUSINESS REPORT