Free State: Premier Mxolisi Dukwana has called on the residents of the province to work together to build a better province during the festive season, and avoid consumption of alcohol.
This period is often characterised by excessive alcohol consumption and general lawlessness. The number of road carnages is often high, and Premier Dukwana said all these challenges could be overcome only if people behaved themselves accordingly.
During a recent visit to Kutlwanong, Odendaalsrus, Premier Dukwana said he was perturbed by the general moral decay in society.
“There is nothing more painful than seeing young people drowning in alcohol, all in the name of fun. We have more taverns than recreational centres and places of worship, and it is a concern. We must have a conversation with our youth and explain to them that there are far more important things in life than alcohol,” Premier said.
Teenage pregnancy was also another problem that compounded the problems that society was faced with.
“What is even more painful is that the government tries hard to assist most of these young mothers with child support grants, but sadly, most of the parents often use the money to buy alcohol. These are serious issues facing us as a society and it will do us no good to try and sweep them under the carpet. Who is going to take over the country and move it in the direction if our young people are constantly drinking alcohol and using drugs?”
Premier Dukwana referred to an elderly gentleman, Ntate Ntsisi, who also hails from Kutlwanong. Although old, Ntate Ntsisi is knowledgeable in welding and carpentry, skills that the Premier said the youth ought to be learning from the old man.
“Ntate Ntsisi raised many of us. He is a hardworking man, and I am not surprised to see him still working even at an advanced age. The youth of Kutlwanong should be taking full advantage and learning from him because he is knowledgeable,” he said.
Meanwhile, medical professionals have also warned against excessive alcohol intake. Doctor Thabang Diobe said this poses a serious danger to the health of consumers. He also warned expectant mothers to steer away from alcohol as it could put their babies in danger.
“Alcohol when consumed, reaches the stomach and absorbs in the blood through circulation. When a woman is pregnant, the blood alcohol levels reach the foetus via feto-maternal circulation through the umbilical cord. Alcohol can cause Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), where a baby may be born with certain developmental abnormalities.
“When excess amounts of alcohol are consumed, the baby might not even survive the pregnancy. The baby may also develop milestones delays and “be slow,” said Doctor Diobe.
In conclusion, he warned: “Alcohol also increases the risk of the mother developing heart blood pressure in pregnancy, and the severe form is called pre-eclampsia, and this disease can kill both the baby and mother.”