Her work serves as an eye-opener, shedding light on the social issues prevalent in our world. The series began with the book "Bare: The Blesser’s Game," an intense and informative narrative.
In her interview with The Hustler Corner SA on YouTube, Phamotse revealed that the book draws inspiration from real-life events she has experienced. Phamoste's work is well-researched and thought-provoking. This strong and intelligent woman has had a profound impact on many young people, urging them to be aware of social issues and society at large, primarily by encouraging them to read.
Reflecting on Phamotse's work urged me to ponder on the challenges faced by young people in navigating a life filled with various pressures such as poverty, education, mental health, and the relentless pursuit of success. These social factors can often lead us into treacherous territories.
We live in a world where everything is exposed and easily accessible, covered with the constant consumption of wealth showcased on our smartphone screens through social media and advertisements. We are bombarded with status symbols of affluence, along with get-rich-quick schemes, luring us into the allure of luxury and the glamorous lives of our favourite celebrities, politicians, and influencers.
Nearly everyone is fed the hope that immense wealth can be gained in their early twenties with minimal work or effort. This dangerous sentiment fosters unrealistic expectations that ultimately result in disappointment. Worse yet, it can lead to involvement in harmful and criminal activities.
As a generation raised in a fast-paced world, where multimedia and globalisation make it effortless to consume content that sells us the dream of having it all. We find ourselves longing to acquire such wealth. It is marketed and advertised effectively, with influential figures endorsing these ideas. However, we cannot solely blame capitalism, social media, the media, or celebrity boasting. It is time for us to be honest with ourselves and consider the possibility that we feel entitled to these things and are impatient for success.
Living in a world of instant gratification has conditioned us to desire immediate results with minimal effort. It is crucial for us, as young people, to reflect on what truly matters and acknowledge that nothing worthwhile comes easily.
Sources:
Nkomo, E., 2022, ‘Perceived work values, materialism and entitlement mentality among Generation Y students in South Africa’, Acta Commercii 22(1), a1033. https://doi. org/10.4102/ac.v22i1.1033
Bevan-Dye, AL., Garnett A., and de Klerk N., ‘Materialism, status consumption and consumer ethnocentrism amongst black generation Y students in South Africa’, African Journal of Business Management Vol. 6(16), pp.5578-5586, 25 April, 2012 Available online at
www.academicjournals.org/AJBM