To prevent another Enyobeni tavern tragedy, the Eastern Cape Liquor Board has launched a campaign against “pens-down” parties as the end of the school year approaches.
East London gained international notoriety in June when 21 youths, all under 20, died at the Scenery Park tavern.
The cause of death has still not been fully revealed, with the health department telling parents they needed to approach the courts for full details.
They were told their children had suffocated.
Postmortem test results also revealed the presence of deadly methanol.
The liquor board said it was worried about the rapidly developing culture of “pens down” events to celebrate the end of examinations.
Board spokesperson Dr Mgwebi Msiya said: “This campaign will be one of many initiatives to strengthen the fight against underage drinking in the province and to ensure the future of young people is safeguarded.
“The board seeks to mitigate the scourge of underage drinking and the ‘pens-down’ culture that is a celebration of the end of examinations and is regrettably characterised by excessive consumption of alcohol that often results in horrific incidents, such as the Enyobeni tavern incident.”
Wednesday’s launch in Dimbaza was seen as the start of a concerted campaign to publicise the dangers of underage drinking under the theme “My Future Matters, Alcohol Must Wait”.
“We want our young people to start to take responsibility for their wellbeing.
“The biggest problem about this [pens-down] culture is that it is always about alcohol, which is worrisome.”
Msiya said the board planned to spread its message across the province by using various stakeholders and getting help from adults, parents and communities.
“We are mobilising parents, especially on the day of the last examinations.
“We have advised liquor outlets not to host any pens-down events.
“There are establishments that have discreetly started advertising pens-down events.
“We will make sure that these events do not happen.”
At the launch event, the Moses Twebe Hall was full of community members, representatives from different government departments and pupils from four high schools.
Former drug addict Lindokuhle Liwani, 26, shared her story about how she started smoking illegal substances, particularly dagga, at 15.
“I come from a God-fearing home. My parents are pastors, so I was drowning alone in sorrow, scared of telling my parents about my addiction.”
She said she had to distance herself from the crowds she usually associated with, to save her life.
Liquor trader Sindiswa Ralo has been in business for almost a year, and was adamant she would not sell liquor to under-18s.
“I have never had the challenge of young people who forcefully purchase alcohol beverages, as I make sure they do not enter the premises,” she said.
Grade 11 Kuyasa Senior Secondary School pupil Phelokazi Matiwane said drug and alcohol abuse by underage children was a problem at her school.
“I have friends who consume, but this campaign will help me persuade them to stop drinking alcohol.”
Anita Maxobongo, from Richard Vara High School, echoed Matiwane’s words, and added though exams were difficult, young people did not have to seek relief in alcohol.
“It is a trend that pens-down events are hosted, which is wrong because I believe that is where young people are introduced to alcohol.”
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