The death of 21 children in a drinking tavern in East London has once again exposed parents, society, and government authorities.
One can easily jump to ask the question, rightly so, why underage kids were being sold or given liquor as some reports suggest they were given for free?
We all know it is illegal for underage children to be sold liquor. Even on the containers of these non-holy waters it is stated that alcohol can’t be sold to under 18-year-olds.
But this phenomenon has been going on for some time, it was not the first time, and to date it still continues elsewhere.
As society, what do we do? We turn a blind eye.
We wait until such a tragic incident occurs, then start pointing fingers and raising eyebrows, to something that has been ongoing in front of our eyes.
Just in 2015, at Osawa in Makhaza, Khayelitsha, we also learnt of a tragic incident where eight young people died, ages varying from 15 to 23 during a stampede.
This is just one case to illustrate that underage drinking did not take place only in the Enyobeni tavern.
The liquor board authorities are now seen running around, clutching at straws while underage drinking, selling of liquor continues unabated.
They have the authority to ensure such doesn’t take place, but seemingly it happens with ease. Where is their bite in all of this?
Now that Enyobeni has been thrust into the limelight, they will be visible, but isn’t it too late, now?
This will also slowly die down, but will underage drinking and selling of liquor stop?
I, unfortunately, don’t think so. Parents should re-claim their role and instil discipline in their children.
It cannot be that children’s’ rights relegate the role of parenthood onto the benches.
With the failure to instil values to abide by, children are likely to be easily influenced by their peers on the outside world.
At the end of the day, those who sell liquor are in it for the profit, but that should not come at the expense of the little children!
This brings me to the point of parents, and the role they play in guiding their offspring into the future.
Naturally, I don’t think there’s any parent that would willy-nilly or on his or her right mind, would allow his or her child to drink alcohol.
With that said, is the environment that these children grow up under, conducive enough for them to make much better-informed decision on issues of alcohol.
Are parents better equipped to empower their offspring to make informed decisions about their future?
As parents aren’t we supposed to be nurturing these young souls, so that they become the best versions of themselves?
Do we as parents have the capacity to channel our offspring to be better human beings than we have been?
To begin with, how on earth do we go to bed without knowing where our children are? How can it be the “norm” for a 14-year-old, to knock on the door returning from the “groove” in the morning? How is this normal?
As adults we need to set standards, and not rely on or hope for better without instilling certain values that may assist our children going forward.
I think it is better to share some wisdom, than live with the guilt of, what it if.