Sugar tax vs jobs: Can SA protect health and industry?

South Africa’s sugar tax, officially the Health Promotion Levy, has been at the centre of a heated debate. Introduced in 2018 to curb the country’s rising obesity and diabetes rates, the levy taxes sugar-sweetened beverages, but not household sugar or other foods. Health advocates say it’s a vital tool that could prevent tens of thousands of deaths and save billions in healthcare costs over time.Nzama Mbalati, CEO of the Healthy Living Alliance (HEALA) joins Gugulethu