On BBC News this morning was a segment about Foetal Alchohol Syndrome (FAS) in South Africa. According to the BBC we have the highest incidence of FAS in the world, with an estimated three million South African children suffering from this syndrome. This means that one in four South African women drink, often very heavily (binge drinking), while they are pregnant.
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What is Foetal Alcohol Syndrome?
" Foetal alcohol syndrome is a collection of birth defects involving physical and neuro-developmental impairments. It results in low intelligence, behavioural disorders, poor social judgement and general difficulty in performing everyday tasks. Local foetal alcohol syndrome figures are up to 100 times higher than other populations, such as indigenous nations of North America and Australasia, traditionally considered high risk." http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/2015/09/09/South-Africa-fails-to-tackle-its-high-foetal-alcohol-syndrome-rate In some areas between 5% and 10% of children entering school are suffering from FAS.
FAS is characterized by distinctive facial features, including small wide set eyes in a flatter than usual face a small nose, and a small head circumference. Stunted growth can also result from the Syndrome, as well as brain damage, heart and kidney problems.
Socio-economic Factors
Socio-economic factors play a major role in contributing to South Africa's incidence of FAS. The communities of the most stricken children exist in abject poverty where unemployment is rife. There are high incidences of abuse and violence towards women, and people drink to cope. Additionally, inadequate education exacerbates the issue. Binge drinking is the norm with "the consumption of cheap fortified alcohol, often fermented using dangerous accelerants." http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/western-cape/boozy-cape-kids-pay-a-heavy-price-1841093
History Of Societal Control
The question is WHY a certain area of South Africa, the Western Cape, has arguably the highest rate of FAS in the world? The answer can be found in the dop system (tot system). Farm workers on the Cape's famous wine farms were paid in a measure of sweet fotified wine, as well as wages. This practice dates all the way back to the European Settlers of the 1600's, and has been common ever since. Part payment in alcohol was actually a form of social control, ensuring workers were compliant and malleable, as long as they received their "fix" at the end of the day. This practice was outlawed in South Africa in 1960, but although it is illegal, there are still sporadic reports of payments made with cheap alcohol.
Lessons for society as a whole
In South Africa, we have "lost" generation upon generation of innocent children, directly due to a system of social control known as the "dop system". How does this lesson translate to us as a society now. A small group of powerful individuals control the world. Television, media, consumerism, medication and diet are their means of control. Our sweet wine. What consequences as a society have we already reaped? What will be the effect on our children if we don't start waking up?
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Absolutely sickening that parents can do this to their own unborn child! In South Africa, we need better education, that is the key. Unfortunately our government is too busy looting the treasury than to care about the citizens of this country MAD
Yup!
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