The tragic loss of twenty-one teenagers at Enyobeni Tavern in East London on 26 June, has not only shaken the country but left many in disbelief. The never-ending questions that are left amongst parents, the youth and the community, are not only continuously triggering the country but need to eventually be answered.
Teenagers as young as 13 were allowed in the tavern which is illegal. According to South African law alcohol sales start from 18. It is such a hard pill to swallow that alcohol has become so easily accessible to young children in this country.
A slight reflection on what happened: According to those that attended the “pens down” event at Enyobeni Tavern in Scenery Park, their peers mysteriously started collapsing after struggling to breathe and trying to exit the tavern. The venue was overcrowded with teenagers who were allegedly given free alcohol, food and entry.
Where does it all begin?
It all beings from sending under aged children to buy a bottle of alcohol at a nearby store. All these normalized acts within the community leads to the very same problem we face today. Alcohol is easily accessible mostly in rural areas and the poor areas in South Africa and with that leads to under aged alcohol consumption.
What recently happened at Enyobeni Tavern is only the beginning of the damage alcohol has to the youth, the future leaders needed in our country. The ignorance of alcohol abuse being seen as the new cool is destroying everyone and not just the youth.
Who is responsible?
Everyone is responsible for their own actions and parents can only do so much to protect their children. Teenagers can be rebellious and with that it comes with age, but because of that the consequences to what seems “fun” at times can put one’s life at risk. Teenagers want to experience and try out what looks “cool” not understanding the long term damages of those actions. The government has a role to play too but to a certain extent providing resources to distract the youth from the substance abuse and crime. Although it is also the responsibility of the child to choose the availability of these resources are more likely to do good than damage.
In regards to the incident at Enyobeni Tavern the owner should be accountable including those that were working there that night.
Does South Africans have a drinking problem?
I believe South Africans have a drinking problem. Reasons being that young minds practice what they see more than what they are told. Being an example at home is where it begins leading by example as an elder before giving that responsibility to strangers on social media. According to Jonathan Cupido, 2021 (The Demand for Alcohol in South Africa), “Alcohol remains the primary substance of abuse in South Africa, between 7.5% and 31.5% of South Africans have an alcohol problem or are at risk of developing on (NDMD 2006-2011).
If society continues to normalize such acts of substance abuse and under-age drinking what is then to become of South Africa’s future leaders. What are your thoughts of what is currently happening to the youth of South Africa?
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Yes! You couldn’t have said it any better! True! The owner must face the consequences of what has happened as he knows children under the age of 18 should not buying alcohol and consuming it at his tavern.