Exploring the influence of Venda moral values on the behaviour of youth

The Vhavenda people, an indigenous ethnic group in South Africa, possess a deep-rooted cultural herit-age defined by a strong moral code and traditional ethical values. In recent years, however, the influence of modernisation, urbanisation, and global cultural shifts has presented significant challenges to preserv-ing and transmitting these values, particularly among the youth. This article explores the influence of Venda moral values on the behaviour of young people in Nzhelele village, Limpopo Province. Grounded in the Afrocentric Theoretical Framework, which emphasises African indigenous knowledge systems and cultural values, the article adopts an interpretivist research paradigm to understand the social and cul-tural dynamics at play. A qualitative, ethnographic research design was employed to investigate how traditional Venda morals shape or fail to shape youth behaviour in the selected community. The popula-tion consisted of elderly custodians of culture (n=8) and youth (n=40) residing in Nzhelele village. Par-ticipants were selected through a non-probability purposive sampling technique to ensure relevant cul-tural and generational perspectives were represented. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-struc-tured interviews, allowing participants to express their experiences and perceptions. Thematic analysis was used to interpret the qualitative data and identify recurring themes related to morality, cultural shifts, and behavioural patterns. This study was geographically delimited to Nzhelele village, which allowed for a focused exploration of context-specific influences on youth behaviour. To ensure trustworthiness, the article observed credibility through prolonged engagement, dependability through detailed methodolog-ical documentation, confirmability via audit trails, and transferability through thick descriptions of the setting and participants. Ethical considerations, including informed consent, confidentiality, voluntary participation, and cultural sensitivity, were rigorously followed. The study found that Venda moral values still significantly influence youth behaviour, especially within families that actively practice cultural tra-ditions and modern influences, particularly media and peer pressure, contribute to gradually erasing these traditional values among youth. The article recommended that community elders and cultural insti-tutions be actively engaged in youth development programs to reinforce traditional moral education, and schools and local leaders should collaborate in integrating indigenous moral teachings into formal and informal learning spaces. While Venda moral values play an essential role in shaping youth behaviour, there is an urgent need for deliberate, culturally informed strategies to preserve these values in the face of evolving societal dynamics.