Members of various men’s organisations in Khayelitsha and surrounding areas held a men’s dialogue to discuss issues affecting them.
The event, held at Harare Library in Khayelitsha on Wednesday 19 October, was organised by the provincial Department of Social Development. Among the men’s organisations represented were Amadoda Aqotho, Fathers Connect Foundation and Sakh’ indoda Community Organisation.
The event coordinator and DSD probation officer Makhaya Jezile described the event as part of celebrating International Men’s Day, which is an annual event. He said the aim is to empower and educate men about their roles not only in their homes but in the community at large. Jezile said they also encourage them to speak out instead of bottled inside their feelings.
“This is also a platform for men to share their experiences. We know that in many instances men are the ones who are always on the wrong side. Some of them have issues of substance abuse, perpetrators of gender-based violence, crime, rape and so on. Now, we want to hear the root cause of all these things and come with resolutions. It is a man-to-man conversation.”
He also mentioned the issue of absent fathers, something that is destroying many families, and single-parent breadwinning mothers face many pressures. Jezile emphasised not all the people committing crimes came from poor families.
“In many cases boys who are raised by their mothers always see her as their role-model. They develop an anger against their fathers.”
The founder of the Fathers Connect Foundation, Themba Baleni, described his organisation’s role as giving hope, championing changes in perception and the way that men do things.
“We are dealing more with mental health. We want them to change their way of thinking and stop using their masculinity to bully the female. We encourage men to walk away from trouble or keep quiet.”
Local resident Michael Tshayisa described the event as educational, a session that provided much motivation. He said it was easy to share stories as men sitting alone together.
“I separated from my girlfriend of 18 years last year. She went back to her ex-boyfriend. And bear in mind we already have three children. I was going crazy, but fortunately I didn’t attack her. I got comfort from friends and neighbours.”
