I was asked by the Concerned Parents and Residents Association of Eersterust to address a meeting at the local civic centre. The invitation followed a column I wrote a few weeks ago about the drug problem in and around Tshwane.

On my arrival, I was moved to see the many youngsters who had gathered ahead of a march to the nearby sports stadium. For them it was a special day. Informally they spoke of their goals and their dreams. These kids were full of smiles. "I want to be president of South Africa one day," a 14-year-old girl told me. A friend responded: "And I want to be deputy president." It was great to hear kids having these ambitions, because their generation are the leaders of tomorrow.

As a journalist of many years, I always used to visit Eersterust for all the wrong reasons.  Some years ago the area became notorious for gang warfare. I also recall reporting on a housing protest which turned violent.

I returned to the suburb this time, and left it on a positive note. I was most impressed to see members of the community standing together and trying to make a difference. The Concerned Parents and Residents Association of Eersterust  was formed following the deaths of several young people. Community members supported each other, cried together and prayed together. Now they help the community in various ways.
This is the way forward. We cannot sit back and only complain and criticise the authorities. It is our responsibility to make a difference. Communities need to develop programmes for our youth, so that these teenagers are kept off the streets where they abuse drugs and alcohol.
The drug problem is not exclusive to areas such as Eersterust, Laudium and Mamelodi. This is a problem in every community in our city and country, and it is up to each of us to make a difference.
I've said it before, but at this time, as we focus on our youth, we need to remember that is up to us, the law-abiding citizens of this country, to blow the whistle on the drug lords and peddlers who are destroying our children's lives.
The time has arrived for our youth to take the lead and get involved in community activities. We should also make them politically aware and prepare them for the future. Many use their time for futile activities.

Last weekend I accompanied police during a raid on illegal drag racing in Sunderland Ridge, outside Erasmia. There were hundreds of young people.
I suppose it is fun and entertainment for the spectators and the participants. But surely there are better things to do on a Sunday evening? The time could have been better spent on some or other community or family activity. Moreover, they are racing in a public street and risking the lives of others. Our priorities are wrong.
When the next anniversary of June 16 comes around, we need to have more reasons to celebrate the current younger generation's contribution to our country. The children of 1976 laid the foundation. Today's youth need to follow in their footsteps, assisting in positive ways to build a new South Africa that those we remembered on Friday could barely dream of.

*Ed* Bruin-ou.com fully supports the initiatives conducted by CP@RAoE and wishes them all the best for the future. More communities should form similar organisations and if you have something like this going within your community, please let us know so that we can share the good news with everyone. People hear enough about the bad going on in our communities so now it's time to share and celebrate the good. Congratulations to CP&RAoE for all your efforts and we wish you all the best and hope that you go from strength to strength.

Comments (1)

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written by BRASIE, April 03, 2008

ek bly in eerstrust my laatjie is n week trug dood geskiet ek hoop ons kan iets doen met die drugs/stolen goods in ons "praag" poort

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