adminTHERE seems to be an increase in the number of people living a lie, especially among the youths.
A lot of young people are trying to flaunt non-existent riches on social media, while reality is that they are actually looking for help.
Social media is exerting a lot of pressure on young people to prove that they are up to date with the latest trends, be it fashion or general lifestyle. So much is the pressure that our young people are even competing with people they have never met, and would probably not meet in their lifetime.
What people forget is that there is too much pretence on social media. Some even go to the extent of impersonating some unknown models by posting their pictures to “prove that they are living the good life”.
The truth of the matter is that stuff and stories shared on social media by some influencers or celebrities are fake. In fact, some celebrities or the self-styled socialites claim to be living large in public, yet most are wallowing in penury.
Unfortunately, the pressure is too much to handle for some of them, and they end up resorting to crime to maintain the lie they live in public and on social media.
Some are sinking in debt due to the pressure to keep up appearances.
Some have been dragged to court for duping friends, family and organisations or failing to settle debts.
It’s sad that people put themselves under unnecessary pressure just for attention-seeking. But it has proved that attention-seekers are actually a danger to themselves, since they have to carry the cross of their folly.
In yesterday’s edition we published a story about popular social media personality, Kudakwashe Hove, better known as @iamhove, who was sentenced to six months in prison after being found guilty of enjoying food worth over $364 500 at a local restaurant without paying.
Hove had been projecting himself as a trendsetter, a bloke who lives a posh lifestyle and dines at fancy restaurants.
He fooled a lot of people into believing that he was an example of a successful young influencer.
Well, his plastic lifestyle was finally bust and he was exposed for the criminal that he is, and now he is paying the price for his years of pretence.
It was exposed that Hove sustained his lifestyle by duping people.
He conned people for money, clothing and food. Hove specialised in producing fake proof of payments at different outlets to get what he wanted.
He got himself in this mess for the love of fancy stuff which he could not afford. In previous editions, we urged people to learn to live within their means.
The love for a luxurious lifestyle has left many in trouble. Lust has ruined many people’s careers and image.
There are several other people who invited trouble to themselves and they are now swimming in debt.
While the “slay” king’s issue has now left Hove as a convicted criminal. Hopefully other influencers and social media personalities should learn a lesson about living a lie.
There is no easy money and young people must know that only hard work will enable them to live the lives they desire.
Pretence will be exposed in the fullness of time just like Hove found out, and you will live with the shame for a lifetime.
Let us learn to be content with what we have and work for what we want. Let’s avoid competition with people whose source of money and materials we don’t know.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter