With the long weekend upon us, the young, energetic crowd will once again have the opportunity to burn off some steam at the popular Kimberley Easter drags.
Image: Danie van der Lith
WHERE have all the laaities gone?
Where do the young folk hang out these days? Since the Oppenheimer Gardens were fenced off, I don’t see them anymore. I used to drive by their gatherings just to fume over their loud music, okka pipes, litter, and fashion choices. Now that they're gone, life feels too peaceful – and oddly unsettling.
Over the past few years, the youth have been shunted from one location to another. First it was the Civic Centre in Square Hill Park, then the Trim Park, then Libertas Avenue. Each time, complaints from nearby residents shut them down.
I wrote about this a while ago – angrily, I admit – especially about the mess left behind in the Oppenheimer Gardens. I said if they cleaned up after themselves, they might be left alone. And now that the gardens are off limits … maybe I was right.
The good news is that with the long weekend upon us, the young, energetic crowd will once again have the opportunity to burn off some steam at the popular Easter drags.
Of course, I do realise that the origins of Easter have nothing to do with burning rubber over a quarter-mile stretch. It also originally had nothing to do with chocolate eggs, bunny rabbits, pickled fish, and spicy buns. But it’s difficult to market and make a profit off an example of how to serve others self-sacrificially, so the youth are playing the hand they’ve been dealt.
Socialisation is important. This is why, I suspect, that the youngsters will find a place and a way to congregate.
Look it up and you will find that socialising is vital for overall well-being. Getting together regularly and interacting with others produces benefits like improved mood, reduced stress, better physical health, and stronger cognitive function.
Meaningful – note, ‘meaningful’ not ‘many’ – connections can boost longevity, lower the risk of chronic diseases, and encourage healthier lifestyle choices, making social interaction a key part of a healthy, fulfilling life.
But, having said that, there’s a pachyderm in the parlour.
With the youth, the young adults and even the middle-aged revelling in and fostering their social groups, making a point of reaching out, connecting and getting together as much as this busy world will allow, should they be concerned about how long these enjoyable and important connections will last?
Why do I ask?
We only need to consider how many of our aged – mostly those who can no longer drive and get around on their own, who are no longer energetic and whose vitality has dwindled to a flicker – are enjoying meaningful social contact.
Yes, we should celebrate and applaud those who see to their needs, make sure they have shelter, meals and running water, heat and a comfy bed. But we could, and maybe should, ask ourselves if we’d be satisfied with that.
How will the vibing, partying, social crowd of today feel when they have to sit all day, sometimes for days on end, without some meaningful human interaction?
I always say it: The choices we are making today are setting up the circumstances we will encounter when we are older. So, maybe the best thing we can do – while we’re still young, or still moving, or still vibing – is to build a culture where no one is left to fade into silence.
A society where the music never stops, it just changes tempo. Where the laaities of today become the storytellers of tomorrow, and everyone still has a place at the table.
After all, the best parties are the ones where everyone’s invited – even those with more memories than moves.