Authored: Captain SA | SA Rainbow News

Public drinking in South Africa is not a new phenomenon, but its normalisation within communities has reached alarming levels. Across townships, suburbs, and even city centers, it has become increasingly common to see people—often parents and role models—freely drinking alcohol on the streets. For many, it is a symbol of relaxation, celebration, or even rebellion. But beneath the surface, this trend reveals a silent crisis that is deeply affecting the development and mindset of our youth.

#PublicDrinking

Elias Sibeko, a concerned community advocate, has observed that children as young as those in primary school are growing up in environments where alcohol is part of everyday life. From Friday afternoons to Sunday evenings, many communities become saturated with the sounds of music, laughter, and clinking bottles. But what message are we sending to the next generation? How do we expect to raise responsible, conscious young people when alcohol has become a casual companion in their daily surroundings?

#YouthExposure

It is no longer shocking to see adults walking freely in public spaces with alcohol bottles in hand—some even with children beside them. For young minds, this behavior sends a conflicting message. On one hand, schools and awareness campaigns emphasize the dangers of substance abuse. On the other, their own parents or older siblings glamorize drinking as something normal, fun, or even fashionable. The contradiction creates confusion and gradually erodes the values we try so hard to instill in them.

#MixedMessages

Public drinking also contributes significantly to other social problems. It is closely linked to domestic violence, public disorder, poor decision-making, and health risks. Elias Sibeko points out that children witness the deterioration of family dynamics when alcohol becomes a dominant presence in their homes and streets. In some cases, alcohol abuse becomes a generational cycle—children raised in these conditions are more likely to adopt similar habits as they grow older.

#SocialImpact

One of the most devastating consequences of this behavioral normalization is the vulnerability it creates in teenagers. Because of a combination of weak enforcement of alcohol laws and the poor example set by adults, many teenagers now find themselves attending nightclubs, drinking excessively, and engaging in high-risk behavior. In search of acceptance or quick money, some youth become involved in transactional relationships with older partners. These so-called “sugar daddy” or “blesser” relationships often result in sexually transmitted infections, including HIV and AIDS, as well as unplanned teenage pregnancies.

#TeenVulnerability

This harsh reality doesn’t end there. Elias Sibeko highlights how, when faced with the emotional and psychological consequences of such decisions—judgment, isolation, or abandonment—some young people fall into depression. Sadly, in extreme cases, this leads to suicide. The cycle is painful, preventable, and largely fueled by the permissiveness of alcohol culture in our public and domestic spaces.

#MentalHealthCrisis

Teachers and community leaders often find themselves fighting an uphill battle. While they try to educate, mentor, and guide young people, these efforts are undermined by what children see outside the classroom. How can a teacher convince a teenager to stay away from alcohol when that same teen just saw their father passed out in front of a tavern?

#EducationVsReality

The issue is not about condemning all adults who drink. Rather, it’s about taking responsibility for how, where, and when we drink. Responsible drinking in private spaces, away from impressionable eyes, can go a long way in changing the narrative. We need a community-wide commitment to restoring dignity in our public spaces.

#DrinkResponsibly

The government, civil society, schools, and media all have a role to play. But the change begins at home. Parents and guardians must lead by example. Public drinking should be addressed not just as a legal or health issue, but as a moral and developmental one.

#BeTheChange

In conclusion, Elias Sibeko believes that if we are to raise a generation of youth who are healthy, focused, and resilient, we must challenge the current culture of public drinking. Let us create environments that uplift rather than confuse our children. Let our streets be filled with dreams, not drunkenness.

#FutureFirst #ProtectOurYouth #SAYouthMatters #EndTheCycle