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Moral decay is a serious cause of concern in our society. This article is not to judge anyone, but it seeks to challenge every young person to start having that morality conversation with themselves.

We have seen many people display their relationships on social media, enjoying the attention from friends and followers, but soon as things went shaky, they started swearing and expecting the public to understand. We have seen young people loading photos where they have cans and bottles of alcohol on their tables. This year we saw young people making headlines for wearing uniforms on June 16 only to go to shebeens and bars to drink. Just how much more of cultural erosion can we afford, if any.

Lately, we see people uploading photos of coffins they take when attending funerals. Last year, I met the shock of my life when I logged on my Facebook account to find posts of coffins which were taken at the train tragedy mass funeral in Nkomazi. Just where do people find the strength to be taking pictures of such, especially at such emotional gatherings?

Why do we post these things? A Facebook dialogue we held this weekend suggested that some people load such photos just to show society the value of the caskets in which they bury their loved ones, disturbing indeed. One of my Facebook friends actually said that the way things are happening, soon people will be posting the actual corpses in the coffins just to show us how expensive their suits are. Others have said this is a revised version of izikhothane, another disturbing demon, sadly promoted by members of our society directly and indirectly.

Yes, we are allowed freedom of speech, but we should not lose our spirit of Ubuntu in the process of exercising our rights. Do we really have to abuse our democracy this way?

Twenty years to come, will our children know what morality is all about? Will they know what is right and wrong?

If I recall well, Rev M Nthali used to run programs on moral regeneration, it would be nice to see more visibility of such programmes, especially with active involvement of the youth. This is not what the youngsters of 1976 died for, they died so we could enjoy our full rights with responsibility.

Our value system as the youth, is slowly diminishing and we are slowly losing ourselves. I believe that cognitive restructuring programs at early teenage hood can actually help in the shaping of young people’s thinking and behavior. I also believe that the University of Mpumalanga will allow scholars to study the effects of social media on our culture, the good and the bad sides.

Bishop Mdu Khoza, we need a biblical analysis on the behavior of the youth, Is there a solution?

Hlengiwe is: A Corporate MC, Public Speaker, Radio entertainment reporter, Magazine features writer, Columnist, Social worker, Mentor…

Do share your views with us: @hlengimganu or @_mpnews.