Social media fuelling 'devastating' kids' mental health crisis: NGO
The "unchecked expansion" of social media platforms is driving an unprecedented global mental health crisis in kids and teens, a children's NGO said, calling for urgent coordinated action worldwide.
The KidsRights report said one in seven children and adolescents aged between 10 and 19 suffered mental health issues, with the global suicide rate at six per 100,000 for those aged 15-19.
Even these high rates represent "the tip of the iceberg" as suicide is widely under-reported due to stigma, according to the Amsterdam-based group.
"This year's report is a wake-up call that we cannot ignore any longer" said Marc Dullaert, KidsRights chairman.
"The mental health... crisis among our children has reached a tipping point, exacerbated by the unchecked expansion of social media platforms that prioritise engagement over child safety," he added.
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Daily Maverick
a day ago
- Daily Maverick
Indulging my Fowl Foot Fetish
Let chicken feet lead the way to budget-friendly, environmentally sustainable, healthy and delectable dining. I have a fowl foot fetish. I like to start chewing chicken feet between the toe joints. Then I work my way up and around, nibbling, sheering and sucking through umami-laden skin and tendons. Subtly spitting out bones, I gradually get to the instep's soft pad. Taste meets texture as the wrinkled, puffed skin surface gives way to a gelatinous, wiggly, shimmery, melty magnificence. In addition to being deeply delicious, chicken feet are also the healthy eater's choice. They deliver the holy trinity of bone-boosting minerals – calcium, magnesium and phosphorus – alongside amino acids such as glycine and proline. All of the above stimulate tissue regeneration. Osteoblast (bone-making cells) production, joint and gut health are further enhanced by the collagen found in clucker claws. About 70% of the protein therein is pure collagen, which not only supports healthy hair and nails, but also enhances skin hydration and helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Knowledge pertaining to the restorative powers of chicken feet is not new. In traditional Chinese medicine they are prized as a body-balancing elixir. Consumption is said to replenish 'jing' (foundational energy housed in the kidneys), stoke 'qi' (digestive fire) and nourish 'bu xue' (the joint-, bone- and blood-building essence vital for postpartum recovery). In South Africa, our indigenous healing philosophies are also enamoured with the extremity variously referred to as maotwana, amanqina enkukhu or runaways. Kempton Park-based Pedi traditional healer Makhosi Kamo Malatji observes: 'I had a patient who battled with knees, and I consulted an elder to ask what remedies to use. Their response was that in conjunction with sacred herbs the patient should consume cow heels and chicken feet to relieve bone and joint pain. It makes me sad how seldom such remedies are spoken of in our communities. This may stem from mental colonisation because chicken feet are often seen as a poverty meal.' Clearly, the cooking method plays a role in the health-providing properties of chicken feet. Simmered into soup, poultry paws release their nutritional blessings without adding excess fat or sodium, but deep frying in unhealthy unsaturated fats or smothering in super-salty, sweet, sour sauce will compromise the aforementioned advantages. There are also the health risks associated with greedy guzzling of chicken feet. They possess a labyrinth of teeny, tiny bones – each one a potential choking hazard for overenthusiastic eaters. Mindful munching is a must. I know this from painful personal experience. For those who can control the speed with which they eat, chicken feet are the perfect way to walk through the deliciously diverse possibilities of edible pleasure. Virtually every meat-eating culinary culture has a recipe for them. And I adore almost all of them. What follows are a few of my Johannesburg favourites… At Go Spicy on Rivonia Boulevard, Edenburg, beer and betting accompany shaokao Chinese barbeque. Poultry phalanges are served on skewers. The flame-grilled feet reward slow, persistent gnawing with bursts of smoky fat and spice-soaked skin. The warm glow of cumin and the sweet scents of fennel and star anise are followed by the power-packed, one-two punch of dried chilli and Sichuan peppercorns. At Shun De, Cyrildene Chinatown's premier dim sum hot spot for cool people, the menu romantically reclassifies chicken feet as 'phoenix talons'. Bathed in the bold, earthy, umami tang of black bean sauce, they are soft, slippery and slightly chewy. Korea Garden restaurant in Magaliessig serves stir-fried dalkbal; assertive and cracklingly crisp sinew meets spice, smoke and the smouldering heady heat of the gochujang fermented sauce. What Makhosi Kamo Malatji described as the stigma of past poverty is gradually evolving into nostalgia and pride. As chef and food influencer Mogau Seshoene (aka the Lazy Makoti) says: 'I love them for the fond childhood memories I have around them. My uncle used to make them for us, and I still use his recipe today. 'Once I grew up and I learnt about the benefits of their collagen content – and that it is so great for the skin – I obviously appreciated them even more. Also, we used to just eat nose to tail without thinking about it because that was what everyone did, but now that I understand the environmental benefits of that I am doubly grateful to my elders and the culinary lessons that we learnt from them. 'As Africans we often underestimate how healthy and sustainable our traditional ways were. There was no waste in those days. And also, how delicious! My uncle (and I do still) cooked them simply with a generous amount of hot curry. Must be hot. I then add some grated tomato and cook till soft until the meat is nice and soft. Then I eat them with some equally hot achar. Homemade is best but if I am in a hurry the Spar supermarket deli counters often make good ones.' Chef Absalom Kotsokoane of Salt Culinary Consulting agrees: 'Chicken feet are special for me. They remind me of the times we had with my grandmother, prepared slow cooked on a charcoal stove with a bit of curry. The spicier they are, the more delicious they are. They make lots of gravy which you can eat the next day with some nice ting (fermented sorghum porridge). 'I have done them sometimes for fancy functions roasted in a chutney, orange marinade that can be lovely with pap croquettes, but if I am at home I usually go with my granny's recipe. If I am on the road and I feel like traditional-style chicken feet, I love the ones made by Chef Andile Somdaka at Eziko in Midrand. There are also some great isgela grilled street food vendors in Sunnyside, Pretoria.' The poshest 'pattes de poulet' I ever ate were at the late, lamented Emazulwini restaurant in Cape Town where chef Mmabatho Molefe transformed amanqina enkukhu into a terrific terrine drizzled with amasi dressing. At chef Wandile Mabaso's Les Creatifs in Bryanston the super-stylish chicken consommé (served in an eggshell as an amuse bouche) owes its glorious, golden viscosity to the presence of fowl feet. So, whether you seek radiance or remembrance, nourishment or nostalgia, affordable healing or just an afternoon of epicurean indulgence, let chicken feet lead the way. Each bite or sip is an opportunity to taste time, honour tradition and find gastronomic glory in the often overlooked. The path to pleasure is not necessarily paved in prime cuts. The Lazy Makoti's Uncle's Chicken Foot Recipe (From The Lazy Makoti's Guide to the Kitchen) Serves 4; preparation time 10 minutes. Cooking time about 30 minutes 500g chicken feet 1 cup boiling water or chicken stock ½ teaspoon turmeric powder 1 teaspoon hot curry powder 1 tomato, grated Salt to taste Clean the feet. If you are feeling fancy you can trim the nails at the joint. Otherwise, leave the nails but rinse and if necessary, use a brush to remove dirt. Soak the feet in hot water (not boiling) for a few minutes to loosen the scales and skin. Remove the scales then peel off the outer yellowish skin starting from the top down. Put the feet into a pot with water or stock, turmeric, curry powder and tomato. Simmer over a medium heat until the feet are soft and the sauce is rich and thick, at least 30 minutes. Eat with pap and pleasure and hot atchar. DM
IOL News
4 days ago
- IOL News
Unlocking healing: how 'The Gem: Lotus of Thousand Petals' is redefining wellness
In her debut book, 'The Gem: Lotus of Thousand Petals', Dr Mmatheo Motsisi delivers not merely a spiritual guide but a radiant call to awakening. Image: Dr Mmatheo Motsisi/Facebook In her debut book 'The Gem: Lotus of Thousand Petals', Dr Mmatheo Motsisi offers readers more than just a spiritual guide - she offers a luminous call to awaken. It is a work that invites seekers, healers and the quietly curious onto a sacred path of self-discovery, healing and transformation. Blending African indigenous wisdom, yogic philosophy, Buddhist mindfulness and universal mystical traditions, Motsisi's writing moves like poetry: gentle but piercing, grounded yet transcendent. At the heart of it is the lotus - a timeless symbol of consciousness unfolding, petal by petal, from murky waters toward the light. 'The 'Lotus of Thousand Petals' symbolises the full flowering of consciousness,' Motsisi explains. 'Each petal represents an aspect of our being, healed, integrated and illuminated until we remember our wholeness.' The Johannesburg-based healer, medicolegal expert and mediator says the inspiration to write the book began as 'a quiet yet persistent call' within her soul. 'It was a whisper urging me to give voice to truths carried deep within,' she recalls. 'This book is lived, not merely imagined. Every chapter carries the resonance of my own path through shadow and light, pain and grace.' Motsisi's writing process was not a sprint to the finish line - it was a pilgrimage. 'It took several years,' she says, 'not because the words were difficult but because the becoming they required was profound.' The act of writing became its own initiation. 'Emotionally, it was raw and revealing. Spiritually, it was an initiation, with each page becoming an altar where I laid down a piece of myself only to have it returned transformed.' This deep, embodied process shaped 'The Gem' into more than a book. It is, in Motsisi's words, 'a compassionate companion' for anyone navigating modern life with presence and purpose. It is a reminder that every hardship and victory is sacred - steps toward liberation and self-realisation. Although rooted in centuries-old wisdom, the book addresses the struggles of the present day - constant noise, inner restlessness and disconnection from self and others. 'At the heart of all ancient traditions is the truth that we are not separate,' Motsisi says. 'Our healing and liberation are shared journeys, and the inward path is inseparable from our connection to one another.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Although rooted in centuries-old wisdom, 'The Gem: Lotus of Thousand Petals' addresses the struggles of the present day - constant noise, inner restlessness and disconnection from self and others. Image: Supplied In today's world, she believes, spiritual awakening is less about retreating to mountaintops and more about living fully awake in everyday life. 'Awakening now is about being present in the world, awake to our interconnectedness,' she says. ''The Gem' offers reflections, practices and stories that help readers find inner stillness amidst outer noise and live with conscious intention.' One of the recurring themes in the book is the need to face and dissolve internal barriers. Motsisi names fear, self-doubt and the belief in unworthiness as 'powerful inner prisons' that hold people back. Her approach to dismantling these is gentle yet transformative. 'My book invites readers to meet these blockages with compassion rather than force,' she says. 'Through soulful inquiry, it helps dissolve these barriers and reveal our true, limitless nature.' This, she adds, is not a call to bypass pain but to integrate it. 'Every challenge is an invitation. Every scar carries a story. When we honour these, we reclaim our power.' Motsisi also addresses the tension between spiritual reflection and active engagement in the world. 'Spirituality without action can become withdrawal, and action without depth can become hollow,' she reflects. 'Balance comes when inner clarity guides outer action, when each step is rooted in presence, and when each inward turning strengthens our engagement with life.' This, she says, is where the lotus metaphor shines - rooted in the mud but blossoming above the water. 'We are called to bloom not by escaping the mud, but by using it to grow.' The book is written for anyone who feels 'a quiet yearning for something more.' Whether or not readers label themselves as spiritual seekers, Motsisi hopes they will find in its pages a mirror reflecting 'their beauty, strength and divine essence.' One of the most moving responses she has received came from a reader who told her, 'It felt as though this book was written just for me.' That, Motsisi says, is the ultimate affirmation. 'It means the work has met someone exactly where they are.' While the book is a complete offering in itself, Motsisi sees it as the first chapter in a larger body of work. 'I sense it as the first petal of a greater blossoming - a body of teachings that will continue to unfold through future books, workshops and gatherings.' Since the book's release, she has been moved by how it has taken on a life of its own. 'It has humbled me,' she admits. 'Watching it leave my hands and find its way into the world reminds me that we are vessels for what wishes to be expressed.' Her trust in divine timing has deepened. 'Our stories, shared sincerely, can become medicine for others,' she says. At its core, 'The Gem: Lotus of Thousand Petals' is a book about becoming - about embracing life's cycles of loss and renewal, shadow and light, mud and bloom. It calls readers to honour their own path, however winding, as sacred. For those willing to turn inward, face their fears, and open to life's mysteries, Motsisi's debut offers both a map and a companion for the road. And for the author herself, this is just the beginning. 'The journey never truly ends,' she says. 'It simply unfolds - petal by petal.'
The Citizen
4 days ago
- The Citizen
Ratang Bana cares for Alexandra's vulnerable children amid funding cuts
Ratang Bana, an Alexandra-based NPO, has long served as a lifeline for children affected by poverty and orphanhood. But the organisation now faces a funding crisis, one that threatens to dismantle the fragile support system it has built for Alexandra's most vulnerable. Emphasising its significant role within the community, Ratang Bana's Idah Rambau said the organisation also gave vital support to children in child-headed and youth-headed households. 'We give them food parcels when we have them, and we offer psychosocial support through our various support groups.' Read more: Alex children gleeful as they celebrate Children's Day But the cases they handle are often beyond resolution, and they often require more than just food parcels. Rambau cited one specific case of a youth-headed household with four orphaned children, all without identity documents. She said the eldest, now the sibling carer, had never attended school. 'Over the weekend, they had nowhere to stay. Their mother had been allowed to stay temporarily in Extension 8, but after she passed, the owners wanted their space back. One of our caregivers had to volunteer to take them in.' In some of the worst cases, Rambau said, young sibling carers were themselves ill. She described a young woman caring for two siblings while battling tuberculosis. 'She defaulted on her medication and was admitted. Now she's pregnant. No one is taking care of them.' Rambau said Ratang Bana would sometimes receive food parcels from a local church to give to families facing such challenges, but with more than 200 households currently in need, they were forced to rotate support. The situation worsened after USAID withdrew its funding. 'It affected us a lot. We had to reduce staff. It also affected our beneficiaries,' she noted, adding that programmes such as HIV testing, prevention, and youth education, especially the YOLO (You Only Live Once) initiative for 12–15-year-olds, were halted as a result of the funding withdrawal. DA MP Bridget Masango recently visited the centre and expressed concern. 'They employed 135 young men and women but have lost half of them because of the withdrawal of funding by USAID,' she said. Ratang Bana is one of the few organisations in Alexandra with deep, daily insight into the lived experiences of vulnerable children. But without urgent support, its ability to assist is slipping and with it, the safety net for hundreds of young lives. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration!
