Our culture of celebrating celebrity is shallow and empty

Today the youth aspires to fame, fortune and indulgence. - Nawhal Kara

SHOOT: And the consequences of this sort of culture is widespread unhappiness. Worshipping celebrity is like an addiction to alcohol - it leaves you feeling lonely and miserable once the buzz wears off.

clipped from www.sowetan.co.za Our new hip-hop religion has encouraged cultural and racial diversity among the youth, but sadly also engenders perverse conceptions of what is considered commercially cool, beautiful and admirable. It has influenced the perceptions of young people to such an extent that we measure success, power and love in terms of money. Anything bling is cool. Not only excessive jewellery but also fancy cars, designer suits and estate-style living. Our media revel in the culture of celebrating celebrity, even when they report on politicians. As artists such as JayZ, Chriss Brown and Rihana are captured on the red carpet, so are politicians and their families given celebrity status. What will Jacob Zuma be wearing to his state-of-the-nation address? What car does Dudu Zuma drive?