Thembinkosi Silwane, 13, who was the youngest victim of the Enyobeni Tavern disaster, said to his mother one last time before leaving that awful night, “I’m coming back; Mama.”
President Ramaphosa described the final moments of the 21 victims and what their loved ones had to say about them in a tent packed with poignant situations.
He said that the youngest victim went to Zwelemfundo Primary School to the mourning assembled at Scenery Park Sports Field in East London.
“These are the lives that have been taken. More than just bodies and souls, they are. Young individuals who wanted to be physicians, teachers, police officers, lawyers, actresses, company owners, and entrepreneurs have left our country.
“They aspired to achieve success in life. They intended to assist and look after their families. According to the President, they wished to give back to both their nation and their local communities.
Each and every one of the departed children, according to the President, had wonderful dreams and a promising future.
The President urged the metro and the Eastern Cape government to keep their promises to create more places and programs for the young people of Scenery Park and other underprivileged parts of the province in light of the tragedy that has befallen the country.
Young people shouldn’t be compelled to congregate on street corners, frequent bars, or wind up in unsafe locations because they have nowhere else to hang out, according to President Ramaphosa.
“We want to see our ward councillors advocating for the provincial government to implement additional events, programs, and facilities in our communities. We also want to see them meet with neighborhood companies to recruit them for sponsorships and other forms of support.
“Our nation has a robust legal framework in place to confront and battle drug and alcohol abuse. Laws abound in our country. Their application is the issue, he claimed.
Local Drug Committees must be appointed by mayors.
The appointment of Local Drug Action Committees in each ward and the provision of the required municipal support were requested by President Ramaphosa of all Mayors.
The committees, according to him, must also address the problem of underage alcohol misuse.
We are also aware that alcohol can be just as dangerous, addictive, and harmful as any drug.
The President stated that the design of the Local Drug Action Committees must take underage drinking into account.
The creation of Local Drug Action Committees in every municipality is required by the Prevention of and Treatment of Substance Use Act, he continued.
Recently, these Committees have been established in the Western Cape, Gauteng, and the Free State.
According to the President, these Local Drug Action Committees are essential for bringing together communities, organizations, businesses, educators, and the government to develop measures to combat substance abuse.
The Central Drug Authority, which advises the government on drug policies and initiatives, is a supporter of the creation of Local Drug Action Committees.
The President urged all mayors to form local drug action committees in each ward and provide them with the support they need from the city.
The President also urged all levels of government in the province, including those in the Eastern Cape, to accelerate the implementation of their provincial drug master plans with a renewed emphasis on outreach and public education.
“Parents frequently tell us that they didn’t even know their kids were drinking and abusing drugs.
We also know that kids frequently keep their parents in the dark about these activities.
By raising awareness of the negative consequences of underage drinking, he stated, “we will assist our parents, caregivers, and educators in recognizing the signs of alcohol and substance abuse and obtaining the required support.”