April is usually a month of public holidays with people enjoying time out in restaurants, clubs and bars. This year things are different. In compliance with the nationwide 21-day lockdown all restaurants, clubs and bars have been ordered to close and people are self-distancing at home.
The hospitality sector in South Africa has been hardest hit by the COVID-19 crisis and amongst those most deeply affected are members of the bar and restaurant community who now find themselves out of work.
Pernod Ricard South Africa has stepped in to help alleviate the economic impact on many of these individuals through the #KeepTheSpirit initiative.
The leading provider of premium spirits brands such as Jameson, Absolut and Chivas Regal will commit R2 000 000 to support nearly 1000 bartenders and waitrons over the current lockdown period announced by President Ramaphosa.
Ways of using the ‘down-time’ for additional training and skilling up of bartenders and waitrons are also being investigated.
“We are standing behind the people whose commitment and conviviality has made Pernod Ricard’s brands what they are today. We know there may be a tough road ahead for them and we want to reach out and keep spirits up,” says Vincent Meliet, Commercial Development Director at Pernod Ricard South Africa.
These sentiments were echoed by Werner Vosloo, Sales Director at Pernod Ricard South Africa and
Anton Greyling, Field Sales Director at Pernod Ricard South Africa.
“To our customers, who are also our friends, supporting your staff during this difficult time is a
small token of our appreciation for the support you have given us over the years. We stood
together during the good times and now and we will stand together during the bad times,” says
Vosloo.
“The #KeepTheSpirit initiative is one of various projects that we are implementing to support the
trade community during this time,” says Greyling.
