EASTERN CAPE LIQUOR BOARD TAKES ANTI-PENS DOWN CAMPAIGN TO NELSON MANDELA METRO AMID FEARS OF THE POSSIBLE EXPLOSION OF PENS DOWN PARTIES AT THE END OF EXAMINATIONS

MEDIA INVITE

14 OCTOBER 2026

EASTERN CAPE LIQUOR BOARD TAKES ANTI-PENS DOWN CAMPAIGN TO NELSON MANDELA METRO AMID FEARS OF THE POSSIBLE EXPLOSION OF PENS DOWN PARTIES AT THE END OF EXAMINATIONS

As the end-of-the-year examinations are in full swing, the Eastern Cape Liquor Board (ECLB) is intensifying its anti-pens down campaign to raise awareness on the perils of the rapidly emerging culture of pens down parties in the province. On the 16^th of October, the ECLB will take its Anti-Pens Down Campaign to KwaZakhele in Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan on Friday, 16 October 2026, marking the third leg of the campaign following launches in Buffalo City Metropolitan and Nyandeni Local Municipality.

The campaign targets identified hotspot areas where underage drinking and alcohol-related cases have been reported within schools, in particular. The ECLB seeks to discourage the risky end-of-examination celebrations and promote safer ways of celebrating the end of examinations.

The Executive Mayor, Honourable Lobishe, and other leaders from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan have been invited to the Campaign. The Campaign will further be utilised as a perfect platform to call on parents, liquor traders, community leaders and law enforcement to work together to protect young people, especially during this period.

The Campaign is intended to urge learners across the province to refrain from the repugnant culture of pens down parties that has recently permeated the province.

Media are invited to attend as follows:

Date:                Friday, 16 October 2026
Time:                 09h00
Venue:              Lilian Ngoyi Community Hall, KwaZakhele Township, Nelson Mandela Bay

Media enquiries:
Dr Mgwebi Msiya | ECLB Spokesperson
060 501 6418 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

ENDS…