Rich Kid Syndrome is when rich kids act entitled, spoiled or cluelessly out of touch because of their wealth. Picture: Tima Miroshnichenko/Pexels.
A viral video has sparked a bigger conversation on the worldwide phenomenon of Rich Kid Syndrome, or what social media in Mzansi is calling the “North Boys" phenomenon.
Rich Kid Syndrome is basically when rich kids act entitled, spoiled and are out of touch because of their wealth.
TikTok creator, @Lethabomaluke24 recently took to the platform to educate netizens on a localised movement of the same global phenomenon, known as “North Boys”.
While North Boys is said to have originated in North Johannesburg, the culture is seen throughout the country in affluent suburbs. But not everyone is the same, as some netizens would like you to believe.
The video, which has received more than a million views on X and over 36k likes on TikTok, sheds light on a culture that is linked to privilege, entitlement and troubling behaviours from rich male pupils. This behaviour sometimes carries into adulthood.
The video was made in light of the recent allegations that have been levelled against Donell Mbele, son of award-winning actress and producer Sonia Mbele.
Mbele faces two charges of rape and appeared at the Randburg Magistrate's Court on Monday, January 20. He was released on R1,000 bail and will be back in court on Monday, 10 February.
Meanwhile, his mom, the former “Generations” actress, Sonia Mbele, has distanced herself from her son and the allegations against him.
In the video, @Lethabomaluke24 shared that people should not be shocked at the allegations eluding to the fact that many spoilt rich kids end up committing such crimes.
“I think it’s very hypocritical of us as a society to get shocked by the existence of Donell Mbele, or get shocked that people... get accused of the crimes they commit, such as GBV and rape because a lot of us are fully aware of how North boys are ... They socialise in such a slimy, demonic and sinister way, that their environment ensures that it is written in their destiny that they will end up as rapists.”
So, exactly what is a “North boy”?
@Lethabomaluke24 explains: “It might have originated in the North of Johannesburg, but now the North God Illuminati movement has become an attitude, a mindset because you can find North boys in Bassonia, Cape Town, Bedfordview, Mooikloof, Ballito ...”
He shared that their social media includes a lot of low exposure that highlight their branded attire, including sunglasses, shoes, expensive cars their parent or they drive, lavish apartments and expensive holidays.
“More importantly they flaunt the fact that anything and everything that they have can be bought. The women who give them time and attention are bought. The friends that they have, are bought, the elaborate parties that they throw are filled with people that they don’t know, people who are dying to get an inch of their sense, their time, their space, people who would literally faith if these people touch with a fingertip.”
@Lethabomaluke24 further explained that the North boys are usually the ones who aren’t present at prize giving events, debating, public speaking and who matriculate with a “dry blazer”. They are infamous for getting into trouble.
@Lethabomaluke24 said that he had always craved to be invited into these spaces, but after he “interacted” with them, he realised how “dodge and twisted that world is”.
“I never want to be associated with or involved with people of that nature ever again.”
Delving deeper, @Lethabo takes aim at the parenting styles that foster such behaviour among these youths.
“Their parents do not represent people who are nurturers and disciplinarians, people who are meant to show them the right path to take. Their parents represent people who help them to avoid them to take accountability.
“When they have disputes at school instead of their parents going there with an open mind and heart, they say ‘Do you know who I am?’, a lot of parents buy them out of getting in trouble, donate to the school and intimidate authorities ...
“They have a nasty attitude of money can buy them anything, that money should be something they use to intimidate others, so assert dominance in hierarchies in even in spaces that do not need it ”
Watch the full video below.
This commentary has spurred a flurry of opinions on social media where netizens weigh in on the narrative surrounding North boys.
@StraightupGal commented: “This speaks volumes of the way we parent our children today. Whilst we want the best for them, we overdo things and create entitlement. I have seen a lot of people even being dictated to by their own children-they have too many options.
“Bring back firmness and strictness guys, we will be saving them and society as a whole.”
@rudy1mkn said: “So as a person who has seen and been around the type of people he talks about he is not lying there is a real breakdown in parenting when it comes to those so called rich kids and the end results are sometimes disappointing and tragic.”
@rikveryhotso posted: “👏👏👏👏well said young man. This young man who is accused cannot blame anyone but himself umdala. This young man is right about how parents enable this kind of behaviour.”
@rikveryhotso 👏👏👏👏well said young man. This young man who is accused cannot blame anyone but himself umdala. This young man is right about how parents enable this kind of behaviour.
Meanwhile, former “Generations” actress, Sonia Mbele, has distanced herself from her son and the allegations against him.
She also opened up about being with a man who was physically, psychologically and emotionally abusive toward her from age 17 to 26, adding that her son would “face his demons and take accountability for his actions and let the law take its course”.