Does South Africa have a problem with teenage drinking?

This episode contains frank discussion about underage drinking, as well as subjects like sexual assault and abuse. ********************************************************************************************************************************** “In the neighbourhood I come from, drinking is very popular. Maybe it’s the way people are brought up. They don’t see it as a big problem. But obviously it is from what has happened.” Uma, 17 years.

Last month, 21 teenagers died at a tavern in the city of East London. Some were as young as 13. The eldest was 17. The tragedy has ignited a debate about why many young people are consuming alcohol on a regular basis – and what can be done about it.

Africa Daily is currently on tour and in Johannesburg – and so for the podcast’s first ever live recording, Alan Kasujja discusses the issue in front of an audience of young people – and asks them for their thoughts. He also hears from a man who grew up, regularly drinking, in a township – ending up in and out of prison between the age of 13 and 26. He now counsels young people about how to make good choices about their lives and alcohol.

Presenter: Alan Kasujja (@kasujja) Guests: Yethembe Uma Chasokela and Thapelo Masokoane (@SurpriseThapz) Sound Engineer: Moses Molapisane

With special thanks to Protea Glen Secondary School 2, Gabriela Pomeroy (producer) and the Humanities Department at Wits University.