MEC Simelane’s New Year’s eve and festive season warning: ‘giving children alcohol is disgraceful, dangerous and amounts to abuse

KZN Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane issued a media statement warning against giving alcohol to children, calling it abusive and dangerous, especially in light of a viral video showing adults encouraging young children to drink. She emphasized the severe health risks to children's brain development and safety, and also warned pregnant women about the dangers of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. The statement also promoted the upcoming rollout of Lenacapavir, an HIV-prevention injection, in KZN from February 2026, while stressing that it does not protect against other STIs or unplanned pregnancies.