Youth non-profit organisation Ubuhlobo Bokwenene has called for the strengthening of the African family system to correct the negative social image of Alexandra and to improve the education of children.
This after there were calls at the recent celebrations of Heritage Day for the need to preserve and promote national cultures, and to pass on the heritage to younger generations. The organisation which has a mandate to improve children’s education finds this task a challenge.
Chairperson of the organisation, Keith Nthite said their research identified a range of challenges that hampered education. These included a lack of positive role models, bunking school due to lack of parental care and support, ill-discipline, and conflicts between parents and school management, among others.
Nthite said these challenges were caused by lack of community and family cohesion, and lack of a supportive environment for proper learning and teaching. “Most families are overwhelmed by economic challenges resulting in failure to support children, alcohol and drug abuse and tensions and fights between families,” he said.
He said ubuntu was severely compromised as residents no longer had the power to discipline neighbourhood children. “Instead, they focus only on their own household matters even when neighbours’ children committed crimes against them. They know of, but don’t report drug dealers destroying children.” Nthite said these challenges also overwhelmed ward councillors. “Most of them are not social activists and knowledgeable of community dynamics, and how to deal with challenges.”
He said councillors were mostly preoccupied with electricity, water and housing issues at the expense of the social decay caused by breakdown of family structures, population influx and lack of income generating projects.
