Christopher Farai Charamba Review correspondent
Driving around the leafy neighbourhoods of Borrowdale, Greystone Park, or Glen Lorne on a Saturday afternoon one is likely to come across a house with cars parked on the lawn outside, an open gate and loud music coming from inside the yard. Cue; house party. Among the young people in Zimbabwe house parties are a regular choice of entertainment.

These parties take place for fun, regardless of whether it is a celebration or not. A common practice in the more affluent neighbourhoods in Harare yet not exclusive to these areas, house parties usually take place or start during the day. On May this year 28 young people mostly teenagers were arrested in Westgate at a house party gone wild. Pictures of some of the youths in varied states of undress went viral on social media.

Fifteen of the teens were sentenced to community service after Magistrate Takundwa Mtetwa found them guilty of public nuisance. Recently The Chronicle reported on 16 Bulawayo pupils who were arrested at what is known as a “vuzu party” where they were found drinking alcohol and having sex.

The teenagers were said to be 16 and 17 years old and took advantage of a house where the parents were out of the country. The urban youths search for ‘space’ is increasingly ending at some “empty” house, one where the responsible adults are not around, is a perfect venue for a house party or “drink up”. The size of the party can range from a handful of people to over 100.

“There’s not a lot for us to do in terms of entertainment in Harare so a house party is a nice chilled way for us to hang,” said 16-year-old Martin of Mount Pleasant (not real name). “Usually you find out who is home alone and then use that place as a venue. It is way cheaper than going to the club or somewhere else and chances are we might not even be allowed inside.”

Arranging these house parties is a simple enough affair with one only having to send out an invitation text or open a WhatsApp group. Attendance may be strictly by invite or open. “Most of the time people bring their own alcohol and meat if we are going to braai. The people there are usually from my school. We also invite friends from other schools. Chances are you’ll know everyone there especially if it’s a small party.

“Because there are usually small parties of maybe 20 or so people we just connect a laptop to some speakers and play music from there while hanging out, drinking, playing games and talking to whoever is there. It’s nothing extraordinary, it’s just a normal party,” Martin said. The major concern at these events is the under-age drinking as alcohol impairs judgement and puts these young adults at great risk.

One of the problems resulting from such parties is driving under the influence usually by recently licenced individuals or those without licences at all. “I know some people who might just have a provisional licence but are given access to the cars at home,” said another teen, Tendai (16), who stays in Greystone Park.

With alcohol in the system and youthful excitement there is an increased risk of reckless driving and potential accidents. Sex is another feature at some of these parties. The age of consent in Zimbabwe is 16 and it would be naïve for one to think that teenagers and young adults are not sexually active.

The risks involved, however, are numerous especially if one is under the influence of alcohol. “People usually come with their girlfriends or boyfriends just to chill. Others also come looking for someone to hook up with. It’s all part of the fun,” Tendai said. Mixed with the intoxicating substances, it is not surprising that orgies and rape are taking place at the parties.

Some might choose to blame irresponsible parenting for teenagers to be engaging in such activities while others would cast blame on the types of film, television programmes and music that these young people are exposed to stating that our society has become too Westernised. What is also important to note is the environment in which these activities take place.

Although house parties are not solely reserved for the wealthier neighbourhoods the means and the access to cars, homes and money makes it easier for them to be held there. The distance from nosy neighbours is also a factor. Exploring different means of clean and fun entertainment for young people, particularly teenagers is one means of reducing the frequency of such house parties.

This, however, is not a guaranteed method as the house party culture is entrenched in the fabric of society. Stricter controls on the purchasing of alcohol such as insisting on one producing their ID is another way to curb young people from gaining access to alcohol. This is not a fail-safe option but it can contribute to stemming the availability of alcohol to teenagers.

They say it takes a village to raise a child and parents must engage the proverbial village to look after their child particularly when they are away from home. Asking a neighbour, a relative or a friend to visit one’s child while one is away can perhaps ensure a child desists from hosting a party for fear that they could get caught.

Entertainment is an important part of life and can take various forms. House parties can certainly be fun but it is imperative that young people be taken care of to make sure they do not do something that could potentially ruin their future.

You Might Also Like

Comments

Take our Survey

We value your opinion! Take a moment to complete our survey