A Bloemfontein-based non-profit organisation (NPO) for men is on a mission to amplify the clarion call for South African men to begin rebuilding their sense of self-worth and restore their dignity. The body is known as Seriti sa Banna, which loosely translated means “the dignity of men”.
Its motto is “Uphold men’s dignity”, encapsulating the ideals of the mature men who came together to start the body.
The founding members have six to seven decades behind them. They are Mike Mahase (treasurer), Dan Sesele (secretary), Modise Rantsieng (public relations), Lucas Memani, Moeketsi Ntjoboko, Mmuso Makae, Thabiso Lebitsa, and Thabo Joseph. They are of different professions that include teaching.
Rantsieng said education is the primary vehicle for achieving positive social mobility, as it equips individuals with knowledge, skills, and opportunities that are fundamental to better communities and instilling respect. He said education remains key for breaking the scourge that cause men a loss of their dignity, maintaining that the lack of education results in a loss of respect for men and a decline in their morale.
“We are striving to restore the dignity of all men, taking a stand for what is true and dispelling the perceived notion that all men are perpetrators of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).
“The vision of the association is to restore the dignity of all men and the mission statement is to bring together men who have needs and those who want to help, so that both can collaborate in bringing harmony to their communities and, ultimately, the nation. We strive to instil is to courage to stand for what is true and acceptable to the community without violating the right of others, bring awareness to communities by encouraging men to love, nurture, and care for women and children,” said Rantsieng.
He said given the challenge of men’s dignity, the focus will be teaching young boys about moral values and important life-skills to enhance their graduation to manhood and fatherhood.
“Encourage and foster the ideals of a GBVF-free society that is worthy of upholding the values of perfect manhood and fatherhood,” said Rantsieng.
The association highlighted the importance of restoring men’s dignity during its event to observe International Men’s Day on Saturday, 18 November, at the Mangaung Resource Centre in Bloemfontein.
This ties with the annual 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign running from 25 November to 10 December, a time frame in which International Human Rights Day is included.
“Our focus remains on fostering the ideals of a GBVF-free society that is worthy of upholding the values of perfect manhood and fatherhood,” Rantsieng concluded.
