I was shocked to see how the South made national news for all the wrong reasons, on November 9. Children from Laerskool Suidhewels became terribly ill, complaining of abdominal pains as well nausea and vomiting – after consuming sweets that they had obtained from a stranger the previous day.

I don’t blame the children for this. I blame the parents of these children. What has happened to parenting today? When we were growing up, we learned to never speak to strangers and to never ever accept anything from them, no matter how enticing what was being offered was. That’s basic parenting! Clearly, these children haven’t been taught this very basic, yet essential lesson.

Parents rather use electronic baby-sitters today, such as televisions, smart phones and iPads – instead of interacting directly with their children. Today’s parent don’t understand the importance of play for children and the fact that personal interaction between parent and their children, is what makes youngsters intelligent, empathetic, sympathetic and emotionally mature people.

Had the parents of these (ill) children maintained a culture of personal interaction, then regular discussions on various subjects of relevance to the children would be discussed. Clearly, this is not the norm for these unfortunate children.

Shame on the parents of these children!

Manny de Freitas MP

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