Drowning in Despair: South Africa’s Youth and the Crisis of Substance Abuse, Poverty, and Violence

By: Ntsiki Khunju
As the sun rises over Johannesburg, it casts its light on bustling streets, home to a silent epidemic that few dare to confront. Beneath the surface of the city’s energy lies the unspoken reality of substance abuse, homelessness, and poverty—a crisis that grips South Africa’s youth with unrelenting ferocity. Sidewalks serve as makeshift beds for countless people ensnared by homelessness and substance abuse. Their presence is a stark testament to a crisis that seems to elicit little more than passing concern from society and government alike. These streets are not merely pathways but arenas of survival, where countless lives unravel under the weight of addiction and despair.
The beginning of a new year is often a time for reflection and renewal, yet for many, it serves as a stark reminder of broken resolutions, shattered dreams, and systemic failures. Amid the socioeconomic aftermath of the holiday season, the intertwined crises of substance abuse, unemployment, and mental health demand urgent attention.
The Plight of South African Youth
Youth in South Africa are particularly vulnerable to the vicious cycle of substance abuse. Faced with the dual burden of staggering unemployment rates and generational poverty, many find solace in substances that promise momentary relief but lead to long-term devastation. The 2022 Status of Youth Report paints a grim picture: youth unemployment continues to push many young people toward crime, violence, and dependency, further perpetuating a cycle of hopelessness.
For those in rural areas, the path from education to employment is fraught with barriers. A study on rural Black South African youth highlights that even with education and training, the absence of viable job opportunities exacerbates mental distress, often culminating in substance use. For these young individuals, dreams are deferred not by lack of ambition but by systemic inequalities.
Substance Abuse and Gender-Based Violence
Substance abuse doesn’t exist in isolation; its consequences ripple through society, amplifying other crises. One of its most harrowing effects is its role in fueling gender-based violence. Alcohol, in particular, intensifies both the frequency and severity of intimate partner violence. Research underscores that in communities plagued by heavy drinking, women face heightened risks of physical abuse and are more vulnerable to high-risk sexual behaviours, unplanned pregnancies, and the transmission of HIV and other STIs.
South Africa’s National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence & Femicide underscores the necessity of addressing these intertwined issues through integrated, multi-sectoral strategies. It is a call to action for a country that dreams of eradicating GBV but must first dismantle the societal structures that perpetuate it.
Sibusiso Ethan Ntuli: From Addiction to Advocacy
Sibusiso Ethan Ntuli’s story begins as a young man, bullied for being different. Transitioning from a private school to a public school had him encounter being bullied for not being ‘’black enough’’. He recounts having to survive through unsavoury references of him being ‘’umlungu omnyama’’ (a black boy who acts white), purely because of communication differences. This, amongst other issues, such as being often used for the connection he had to a prominent family, and being the grandson to Irvan Khoza, Chairman of the much-loved Orlando Pirates, saw him spiral into substance addiction. For 17 years, he lived through the chaos of active addiction, a reality that fractured his relationships and left him battling the darkest corners of despair. Among those relationships was his bond with his mother, Ms Sonono Khoza. “No one is born wanting drugs,” Sibusiso reflects. Sibusiso’s descent into substance use was marked by depression and a desperate search for coping mechanisms.
The weight of societal expectations and systemic failures pushed him further into addiction until the day he decided to fight back. ‘’Recovery is often seen as a triumph, a battle won against the odds. But for me, calling it a victory feels misplaced. My journey as a recovering addict is a path marked by struggle, growth, and the painful reality of relationships that remain fractured, especially with my mother. Her inability to forgive herself for what she perceives as failures in my life has created a wall that feels insurmountable. She carries a burden she refuses to unpack, and that refusal casts a long shadow over our relationship.’’, he says. In this journey, he had to accept some hard truths, ‘’In recovery, I’ve come to accept that I cannot control her healing. As much as I wish she would seek help to heal properly, I’ve learned that my focus must remain on my own journey. This is one of the most difficult lessons.’’
Today, Sibusiso is the Founder and Director of Recover Magazine, a platform that amplifies the voices of those battling addiction. Through his struggles with substance use, Sibusiso founded Recover Magazine, using his journey to aid those who find themselves in the same predicament. He continues to use his journey and experience as his strength, attempting to bring hope to all those whose names have been forgotten by society. By giving survivors of substance use a second chance at life, he seeks to restore their dignity and provide support in their journeys of recovery and back to self.
Mental Health and Crime
Substance abuse often begins as an attempt to cope with untreated mental health issues, only to exacerbate them. This vicious cycle not only erodes individual well-being but also contributes to rising crime rates. Studies examining drug-related crime in South Africa reveal a complex interplay between poverty, mental health struggles, and addiction.
Insufficient Resources and Temporary Fixes
Despite the severity of the crisis, South Africa’s response remains inadequate. Initiatives like the Gauteng Department of Social Development’s homelessness programs often fall short, criticized for being temporary solutions that fail to address root causes. Comprehensive interventions that include mental health support, job creation, and long-term rehabilitation are desperately needed.
The Call for Community-Based Solutions
Sibusiso’s journey offers a blueprint for change. His recovery and advocacy work underscores the power of community-driven solutions. Local organizations must be empowered to address the intertwined challenges of homelessness, substance abuse, and violence. Sustainable change requires a multifaceted approach that includes fostering mental well-being, creating economic opportunities, and building support systems.
A Hopeful Future
As we step into a new year, let us confront the shadows of addiction, homelessness, and poverty with empathy and action. Sibusiso’s story reminds us that no one is beyond redemption and that behind every battle with addiction lies a person brimming with potential, waiting for a second chance.
Through community-based efforts and systemic change, we can envision a South Africa where the streets no longer bear the weight of despair but instead echo the stories of resilience and hope.
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Resources:
- Mental distress and substance use among rural Black South African youth: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10152210/
- Gender-based Violence, Alcohol Use, and Sexual Risk Among South African Women: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3646073/
- Gauteng’s response to homelessness is a temporary solution to a structural problem: https://pari.org.za/op-ed-gautengs-response-to-homelessness-is-a-temporary-solution-to-a-structural-problem/
- Community Solutions: Home: https://community.solutions/
- Drug-related crime and poverty in South Africa: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23322039.2018.1534528
- Alcohol and substance abuse in South Africa: https://www.gcis.gov.za/Alcoholandsubstanceabuse
- National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence & Femicide: https://justice.gov.za/vg/gbv/NSP-GBVF-FINAL-DOC-04-05.pdf
- Status of Youth Report 2022 – the NYDA: https://www.nyda.gov.za/portals/0/downloads/nyda%20status%20of%20youth%20report%202022.pdf
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About the author:
Ntsiki Khunju is a passionate writer, child protection advocate, and women’s rights activist. As a dedicated contributor to Activate! Change Drivers, Ntsiki uses the power of words to spark vital conversations, drive positive change, and empower communities. With a deep commitment to advocacy, she plays a pivotal role in protecting children and advancing the rights of women through her work. She is devoted to using her writing to inform, educate, and inspire, helping to foster a more just and equitable society.
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