Why we need a dressing-down: iLIVE

I have always been intrigued by the township culture of izikhothane, that of extravagantly priced clothing and questionable behaviour.

Apparently the trend's origins are based on the culture popularised by Zulu migrant workers in the hostels, who dressed in expensive Italian suits and held a contest for the best-dressed - a respectable form of entertainment.

The youngsters have taken this to the extreme, ridiculing those who cannot afford the overly colourful and expensive clothing.

The main problem with izikhothane is peer pressure.

I recently read about a boy who took his life because he could not get hold of a pair of designer shoes.

Most of these youngsters are giving in to a lifestyle they cannot afford.

Being a teenager is no longer about how intelligent, funny or kind you are. It is about what you wear.

If parents continue to support this lifestyle, they will contribute to the downfall of society.

If these youngsters could put as much effort into their school work as they do keeping tabs on expensive trends, we would have a highly educated youth.

Why can' t we build a nation of people who accept their circumstances and enjoy the gifts that life can bring to those who work hard ?

Patience is a virtue, and good things come to those who wait.