Blood trail

The disturbing blood trail left in the wake of attacks against and incidents involving the next generation of millennials and Generation Z cohorts points at a South Africa in trouble, all the more so when considering the heinous actions displayed by a young squad of future leaders. Limpopo is seemingly no exception to the rule.
With Youth Day commemorated in Polokwane on Sunday it was an opportune moment to take stock and come to terms with the fact that time is running out for the kids of South Africa and the province for that matter, considering the fact that minors are either increasingly becoming victims of violence against them or playing gangster and adult games that eventually lead to their own demise and that of others.
The fragility of the section of the population of under-age South Africans is becoming ever more prevalent as reports of crimes against them tend to dominate the public domain. The situation arising from youngsters becoming acquainted with the realities of crime in all its horrific forms either being performed against them or that they are engaged in is seemingly spiralling out of control.
A snowball effect defines a worrisome scenario parents, guardians, educators and a school system don’t always want to be confronted by or cope with. By the time teenage pregnancy renders a young girl another statistic, the dangers of HIV infection resemble an added threat she had already been exposed to.
Habits like substance-induced acts, depicting a violent nature and bullying tactics as well as disparate or experimental sex are seemingly part of the greater problem of setting the trend for adult-instigated behaviour that appears to be cool in the eyes of a youthful generation prompted by social media signals.
Black-and-white guidelines required to ground children seem to be lacking while the consequences of brave undertakings are not always clearly communicated, as children of a school-going age as well as those younger and beyond are easily left to their own devices to fend for themselves in an unforgiving world. In addition, peers in urban locations and rural environs alike are charged with fighting off factors of a socio-economic nature such as poverty, disease or unemployment that impact their well-being and existence. Hence, a section of tomorrow’s society is affected by stressors that make them emotionally grow up faster than generations before them as they emulate the behaviour of the role players they get into contact with.
In Limpopo the picture seems dire for a portion of a generation facing a bleak future. The death of Thorisho Themane earlier this year will probably forever serve as reminder of the perceived depth of trouble seemingly stirring at the surface of a dark pond. Months after the apparent brutal attack and Themane’s death, allegedly performed by members of a teen gang that has been incarcerated since the going viral of imagery captured during the incident in Polokwane, the matter is still leaving members of the community reeling with disbelief, as do similar murders that were allegedly committed by teen suspects elsewhere in the ensuing period.
Themane’s death seemingly led to a decision by Provincial Police Commissioner Nneke Le-dwaba to have the public barred from accessing erstwhile hotspot Flora Park Dam. (See story on page 3)
During an interview coinciding with an imbizo by the Limpopo Police where the announcement was made, Ledwaba shared disconcerting examples of the conduct of youthful delinquents behind school desks.
Ledwaba informed Polokwane Observer that violence and disorderly behaviour of children were unacceptably high. “They do not show any respect towards parents or teachers and schools are turned into battlefields – a breeding ground for criminals.” He reiterated that it was the Police’s responsibility not only to keep the youth safe but to deal with them accordingly and send them to jail if they broke the law.

He referred to being shown a variety of drinks confiscated from learners during a visit to a local high school. “It is not normal beer. They drink it during break and when they return to class they are no more cooperative. The same was found at a school in Mahwelereng, while at at another school in Ga-Mphahlele a grade B (sic) learner recently attacked a teacher and broke her cell phone,” Ledwaba further stressed.
He added that drugs were the biggest and alcohol the second biggest contributing factor towards crime committed by the youth. “Children as young as nine years are being exposed to drugs,” he said.
On gangsterism in schools Ledwaba said that although it couldn’t be confirmed that there are gangs operating in schools the Police have heard of such allegations.
He reiterated that they were working closely with principals in order to identify any gang-related activities in order for it to be addressed without delay.
Ledwaba pleaded with parents to always make sure they know where their children are and that they should also be aware of who their children befriend. “The future of the children is becoming bleak, but we can turn it around,” he remarked.
“Cut down on children’s spending money – they are only using it for drugs and alcohol. Know their friends and know what they are doing in their spare time,” Ledwaba advised.
During President Cyril Ramaphosa’s address at Sunday’s Youth Day celebrations in Polokwane he referred to, among others, the average age of drug users getting younger. Drugs, he said, were fuelling violence, crime, suicide and risky sexual behaviour and informed those present that the entire society would therefore be mobilised behind the National Drug Master Plan.
Ramaphosa further touched on the high incidence of HIV infection among young people that indicated that prevention campaigns directed at the youth had to be stepped up.
The President simultaneously raised the issue of having to deal with gender-based violence among the youth and encourage them to conduct healthy relationships and dismantle deeply ingrained sexist attitudes towards women and girls.

Story: YOLANDE NEL
>>observer.yolande@gmail.com
RC Myburgh
>>rc.observer@gmail.com

Fotos: ENDY SENYATSI
>>endy@observer.co.za