Johannesburg - Social Development Minister
Bathabile Dlamini has called on her government colleagues to lead by example and ban alcohol at all state functions, City Press reported on Sunday.
"Charity begins at home. We also call on all government employees not to drink and drive," Dlamini was quoted saying.
Her call comes as her department leads government's anti-alcohol and substance abuse festive season programme that is set to be launched in the Western Cape on Wednesday.
The campaign with the theme "Towards an alcohol and drug-free South Africa" is part of an inter-ministerial anti-substance abuse programme.
It also includes a controversial proposal to ban alcohol advertising that Dlamini said will be addressed in the first quarter of 2012.
Dlamini, who has already banned alcohol at functions hosted by her department last year, told the newspaper that substance abuse contributed to many social ills.
"It plays a role in the spread of HIV/Aids through risky sexual behaviour associated with being intoxicated.
"And it plays a role in crime and violence against women and children. We have some of the highest foetal alcohol syndrome figures in the world, she said.