Ramaphosa urges conversation on underage drinking
President Cyril Ramaphosa is encouraging families to have serious conversations about underage drinking.
It follows the recent deaths of 21 young people in East London.
The victims, along with scores of other youngsters, were packed into a tavern in Scenery Park over a week ago to celebrate the end of exams.
At some point during the night, the party turned tragic.
Police are still trying to determine exactly what happened, but from the accounts of some of the survivors, the crowd was exposed to some sort of toxic chemical.
READ: Teens at East London tavern 'did not die of natural causes'
Ramaphosa says the fact that society is increasingly accepting of young people drinking alcohol is a serious problem in South Africa, where most drinkers have been classified as binge drinkers by the World Health Organisation.
The president also reminded citizens that children under the age of 18 consuming alcohol is against the law. He says those who put profit before lives must not be allowed to operate.
Ramaphosa urged the country to work together to stop young people from being robbed of their futures.
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