Ikhwezi Community Centre in Gugulethu was packed to the rafters during the inauguration of the new executive members of Blaahs Society Cape Town on Sunday 23 June.
Blaahs is a non-profit organisation for men that assists and empowers young people in the community.
A group of 20 members were sworn in to lead the renowned organisation for the next three years. The executive members were elected last month at the Love Life Centre in Langa.
Founded in 1978, this is the 26th executive elected for the organisation.
Founder and chair of the organisation, Jake Mahlohla said their main objectives as Blaahs is to develop the community and instil discipline in young people.
“The organisation was formed by men only. Those women who are among us joined after their husbands died. They (women) took over because they liked what we were doing. We support each other all the time,” he said, adding that its members are from various areas in the metro.
He said part of their job is to fight crime and gender-based violence in the community. Mahlohla explained that they want to change the negative narrative that people have about men.
“Our aim is to groom young people and instil discipline. We want to encourage and support them to be better versions of us. We even provide bursaries to needy people,” he explained.
At the event, Pastor Xolani Baartman leader of the Uniting Baptist Church in Gugulethu, urged the newly appointed leadership to be united. He emphasised that their role is to lead by example.
“There is a perception that other people have that if you want black people to fight each other or be enemies give them positions. You (new executive) mustn’t allow that to happen in this organisation – instead make it to be stronger,” said Baartman.
