By Shingirai Vambe
The festive season, traditionally a time for family reunions filled with food, drinks, and joyful togetherness, has taken a troubling turn in many parts of Zimbabwe. While many adults are working tirelessly through the holidays, focused on securing livelihoods and preparing for the upcoming school term, children and youths, particularly in rural areas, have embraced the break as a time for celebration and indulgence.
At growth points and business centres across rural Zimbabwe, young people crowd the streets wearing new clothes, enjoying treats, and engaging in lively festivities. To many, this represents the spirit of the season: a brief escape from everyday hardships and a chance to enjoy simple pleasures.
However, behind the celebratory veneer lies a growing concern. A darker side to these festivities has emerged, marked by an alarming increase in underage drinking, drug abuse, and early sexual activity among youths. While the holiday is meant for rest and family bonding, too many young people are straying from these expectations, instead engaging in risky behaviours that could have long-lasting consequences.
The Post On Sunday reports a disturbing rise in teen pregnancies, school dropouts, and substance abuse during this period, issues that have long plagued Zimbabwe’s youth but seem to intensify during the holidays. Social media platforms have been flooded with reports of missing teenage girls since December 25, particularly in Rusape, Manicaland, painting a grim picture of behavioural decline and family distress.
On the same day, this publication confirmed that many youths under the age of 18 in Rusape were openly consuming alcohol and dangerous drugs. Illicit brews, diluted drinks, and traditional beverages like chibuku and super were reportedly sold and consumed with little oversight. This raises serious questions about the enforcement of policies meant to prevent the sale of alcohol to minors, and the role of nightclub and bar owners in this growing problem.
Parents and guardians appear increasingly disengaged or unaware of their children’s activities during this critical period. The ignorance and lack of supervision only compound the risks faced by these young people, leaving communities vulnerable to the long-term fallout of neglect and exposure to harmful behaviours.
As Zimbabwe grapples with the rise of school dropouts, teenage pregnancies, and drug abuse, the festive season serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive interventions. Safeguarding the nation’s youth requires coordinated efforts between families, communities, authorities, and policymakers to ensure that celebrations do not come at the expense of young lives and futures.
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