Harmful use of Nyaope among young in Etwatwa : a South African pastoral challenge

Abstract

The researcher dealt intensively with the concept of pastoral care to the harmful of use nyaope among youth. Harmful use of nyaope is one of the top challenge confronting South Africa today especially among youth in Black Township. Incidences of "nyaope" use or addiction and related anti-social behaviour have tremendously increased in recent years. Nyaope it is highly harmful and many young people who smoked it found themselves addicted to it. The researcher works as the church minister in Etwatwa Township, many families have reported to him that young people, who are using it, tend to lead chaotic lives that revolve around getting money to buy nyaope, which could include prostitution and stealing valuable assets at home. The behavioural and social effects lead to socially deviant behaviour, involvement in criminal activities, violent and aggressive behaviour, compulsive lying and manipulation. The criminal activities by nyaope addicts, more often than not, result in a trip to prison, which in turn result in addicts missing a lot in schools due to prolonged absences. The violent and aggressive behaviour also manifest in addicts physically and emotionally terrorizing other youth in the church, which results in youth being afraid to attend church because nyaope addicts they become rejected and isolated. The researcher believed that by using Wimberley and Gerkin interchangeable in this way, a model for healing negative feelings that young people are having about themselves was shepherding. In his method of story-telling, Wimberley showed us how Jesus overcomes His shame as well as the shame that people placed on Him by employing a particular strategy. Wimberley’s teaching is how to become resilient and victorious in the face of challenges and pain through retelling biblical stories.