A NEW research has revealed that nearly 48 percent of Bulawayo’s teenagers, aged between 15 and 19 years partook in the x-rated wild parties popularly know as vuzu parties in 2015.
According to a study conducted by a local youth organisation, Active Youth Zimbabwe (AYZ), released recently, 17 percent of females aged 15-19 interviewed during the research say they had sex at vuzu parties while drunk which they later regret.
Vuzu is a local term used to describe a party where the drinking of alcohol, casual sex and drug abuse take place.
“The study found out that 47, 2 percent of both males and females aged 15 to 19 years (school going pupils) are reported to be involved in vuzu parties,” said AYZ director Romio Matshazi.
He said condoms and local homemade viagra known as umvusankunzi, alcohol and mbanje are often found at vuzu parties.
“Some of the effects of such parties that we identified are HIV/AIDS, unwanted pregnancies, early child marriages, school drop outs, drug poisoning and death,” said Matshazi.
He said some of the solutions they are proffering to authorities and guardians to end the parties include counselling.
“Parents should talk to their children about the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse as well as HIV/AIDS,” said Matshazi.
He said anti-vuzu, anti-drug, HIV/AIDS and moral values awareness and prevention programs should be implemented across the society.
“There is a need for the establishment of programs, projects and activities in the communities, schools, churches etc. to keep teens occupied all the time.
“Contacting or visiting anti-drug organisations such as ours, Drug Free World-Zimbabwe, National Aids Council of Zimbabwe and Child Line would help in parental teaching of morals and guidance,” said Matshazi.
The study also found out that mbanje (marijuana) is the most frequently used illegal drug in Bulawayo province – especially in the high density suburbs and central Business Centre (CBD).
Alcohol is the second abused drug especially hot spirits followed by broncleer (ngoma) hence cocaine is highly abused in the low density suburbs.
The top five communities most affected by drug abuse are Makokoba, Entumbane, Njube, Egodini and Pumula respectively.
Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education statistics indicate that in 2014-2015 alone there are 310 students both females and males nabbed for drug abuse.
Source: Radio Dialogue
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