Concerns raised over moral degeneration in society

Restoring moral values will help in the fight against crime and corruption.

This was a common sentiment shared at the launch of the Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM) at the Port Shepstone Civic Centre last Thursday.

The launch featured engagements with traditional and religious leaders, people living with disabilities, young people and other members of society.

The MRM is a civil society-driven structure, supported by the government, aimed at combating moral degeneration.

It focuses on fostering development, social cohesion, and nation-building while supporting traditional and cultural programmes, and also encouraging partnerships between people to address these key societal issues.

The COO of the MRM, Seth Mazibuko, said immoral behaviour at top levels of society trickles down to affect everyone at family level.

He said the public needed to come together to discuss moral renewal as families, communities, and society to revive the structures of ubuntu.

“If we do not confront this as a united force, as we did when we confronted apartheid, we are going to fail,” he said.

He said that as the MRM, they want to form an action plan in the Ugu District to tackle this issue and the crime that accompanies it.

Speaking at the launch, Inkosi Sithembiso Lushaba, said young people have lost their morals because they are doing nothing to keep themselves busy.

“I will also go back to traditional leaders to tell them about MRM so that they can educate their communities about it.

He said while sitting at the launch, he received a disturbing phone call.

“I just received a call that two brothers from the Oshabeni area were in a fight, and one killed the other. I believe that no matter what problems we are facing, we have to sit down and sort them out without using violence,” he said.

He added that the issue of children fighting with their teachers in schools need to be addressed as well.

Meanwhile, Wonder Shinga said it was important for young people to prioritise getting an education as it shields them from several social ills.

Also, Archbishop Sthembiso Ngcamu encouraged the youth to be mindful with their money.

“If you are receiving the R350 social distress grant, try to save at least R10, it will make a difference at the end of the year,” said Ngcamu.

He added that the MRM focuses on strengthening community structures, crime prevention support desks, youth empowerment programmes, the rehabilitation of community offenders, and more.

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