Press Releases

The winners of the 2022 Diageo SA Responsible Drinking Media Awards (RDMAs) have officially been announced, following an awards ceremony held at The Marriot Hotel in Melrose Arch, Johannesburg.

Johannesburg, South Africa, 18 March 2022: After months of the nationwide search, a meticulous judging process by legendary DJs and hours of sets played by some of South Africa’s most talented DJs, South Africa’s number one vodka Smirnoff 1818 crowned the winner of the Smirnoff 1818 Shaya Ingoma Top 10 Female DJ Search, Nompumelelo “Rosetta D33p” Hlatswayo from KwaZulu-Natal, who won through public voting, amassing a whopping 111 890 votes, winning by a slight margin of only 970 votes.

Johannesburg, February 2, 2022 – Hight-profile soccer personalities gathered at the social-trendy Konka Lounge in Soweto today to launch a new initiative to reduce drinking and driving. Dubbed “Wrong Side of the Road” the initiative uses online interaction between consumers and prominent individuals to share real life experience of trouble that arise from driving under the influence of alcohol.

- Entries are still open until 15th November and journalists stand a chance to win up to R50,000 in prize money.

- Any content published or broadcast on the alcohol use is welcome.

Johannesburg. In celebration of world vodka day, Mzansi’s most loved vodka brand, Smirnoff, introduced its newest offering, Smirnoff Infusions. The celebration was reeled in with a one of a kind experience to set the tone for this delectable blend of naturally infused flavours.

With all the focus on the role of alcohol in society over the past year, the leading spirits maker Diageo South Africa, has announced the return for its Responsible Drinking Media Awards (RDMAs) for 2021 to recognise extensive media reporting on the matter.

A ‘by bartenders for bartenders’ programme because doing good tastes better

South Africa’s number one vodka, Smirnoff 1818, has partnered with the country’s number one soapie, Uzalo, to bring audiences something special and unexpected. While it’s uncommon to see a spirit brand partner up with a TV show, this out-of-the-ordinary collaboration between these two industry leaders promises to bring the same level of thrill and excitement that one would expect from either.

Rich Mnisi and Johnnie Walker celebrated the alcohol brand's 200th anniversary with a limited edition clothing line on 13 May 2021 in Sandton. Picture: Winnie Theletsane/Eyewitness News.

With everything that’s been happening in the world right now, we’re all in need of a specific kind of good news: the kind that can turn your life around.

The 12th edition of the Diageo World Class Competition kicked off on Monday the 26th of April 2021: a platform with a vital brand purpose, making people care about what, where and how to drink.

South African R&B Rising Star, Langa Mavuso, is unveiled by Moziak Magazine as he opens up about the process from hurting to healing in his debut, self-titled album, LANGA, supported by Johnnie Walker.

On Friday, 10 April, police in KwaZulu-Natal have made a breakthrough, busting a ring of illicit alcohol producers and confiscating counterfeit alcohol estimated at more than R500,000 in Mandawe area in the south coast of the province.

Diageo South Africa (owner of brands such as Smirnoff, Tanqueray and Johnnie Walker) has today announced a donation of 10 000 litres of pure alcohol towards the production of the hand sanitizers that the Minnie Dlamini Foundation and Red Cross will be distributing to vulnerable communities during the COVID 19 National Lockdown. In addition, R125,000 has also been donated to the #FeedingSATogether initiative aimed at purchasing of food boxes that will be distributed to more than around 550 needy individuals through the company’s employee volunteerism scheme, Valuing Each Other (VEO).

The South African Liquor Brandowners Association (SALBA) shares the concerns of business and our fellow citizens about the current state of the economy of our country, South Africa, and the urgent need to inspire confidence and stimulate economic growth.

In an effort to limit exposure to children and promote responsible alcohol advertising, the alcohol industry in South Africa has committed to restricting its advertising times on TV and radio as well as to not place billboard advertising withinimmediate proximity of schools.

Diageo offers a minimum of 26 weeks maternity and 4 weeks paternity leave at full pay

While some have shared their outrage and others have shared their support for the #VWDriveDry campaign, Volkswagen and Drive Dry are asking the public who ‘will share their pledge?

As a first of its kind, the ground-breaking campaign partnered with Drive Dry and South African hip-hop artist, Nomuzi Mabena to combat drinking and driving behaviours

Entrepreneurial accelerator, The J&B Hive, announces its newest members as well as the dates for the next application round

Drive Dry, an initiative by a leading spirits company Diageo South Africa is pleased to join Transport Minister Blade Nzimande and the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) in promoting safety on the road as motorists return from their holiday destinations at the weekend.

With the festive season already in full swing and as the most dangerous month on South African roads commences, Drive Dry, in partnership with the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD), will be helping to keep Joburg’s roads safe from drunk drivers.

In an ongoing bid to empower both women and small businesses, Diageo’s whisky brand J&B, has released its latest TV commercial using creative entrepreneurs from its enterprise development project, The J&B Hive as well as one of South Africa’s leading female directors, Jeana Theron.

As unemployment amongst the South African youth sky rockets, entrepreneurial start-ups are fast becoming a necessity for South African school leavers. The sad fact is the plethora of bright, young minds do not match the limited number of opportunities available.

Diageo SA is pleased to announce that after receiving almost 400 entries into its eighth Responsible Drinking Media Awards (RDMAs)

Journalists stand a chance of winning up to R30000 for generating responsible drinking content.

Cassper Nyovest offers fans an all-access-pass into his life in the most exclusive locations, with the hottest people at the country’s biggest parties

Maqando Fudu Tavern in Kwazulu-Natal recently won the title of Smirnoff Raga Bolo Champions 2016, along with the R 100 000 cash prize.