To change Western Cape from being South Africa's drinking capital the provincial health department will flight a TV documentary that it hopes will shock drunkards to their senses.
The department introduced its Booza TV to NGOs during a workshop at the Lentegeur Hospital, in Mitchells Plain, near Cape Town, yesterday.
The documentary - produced by the provincial health, social development and community safety departments, and the University of Cape Town's School of Public Health - tackles issues such as alcohol advertising.
Department spokesman Angelique Jordaan described the documentary, which depicts outrageous drinkers, barmen and policemen, as thought-provoking.
"Booza TV is an entertaining and provocative documentary mini-series consisting of six 24-minute episodes that take a daring look at the drinking culture to get drinkers thinking," said Jordaan.
"It challenges the perception that South Africans have about alcohol, and alcohol abuse and what to do about it."
According to the department, South Africans are among the five top "heaviest-drinking" countries.
Western Cape is the "drinking capital of South Africa" and a world "leader" in the incidence of foetal alcohol syndrome.
Despite warnings, 20% to 30% of South Africans continue to drink recklessly.
"The purpose of the workshop was to introduce Booza TV and encourage [NGOs] to incorporate it into their work, contributing to reducing alcohol abuse by reducing access to alcohol, reducing the demand for alcohol and reducing harm by encouraging safer drinking environments," said Jordaan.
He said reaction to the pilot screenings was favourable.
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