“It is easier to build strong children, than to repair broken men.”
It was with this famous quote by American abolitionist Frederick Douglass that Dr Lukhanyo Nyati from the Interprofessional Education Unit at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) in Cape Town motivated young boys from Cape schools attending the launch of the District Boys’ Parliament this week. Young boys from various high schools in Cape Town were motivated by guest speakers at the launch to work hard, to remain focused and to strive to be future leaders.
The two-day event was hosted by Sanac Men’s Sector in collaboration with Subcouncil 4 on Tuesday, 31 March at the Parow Civic Centre.
Nyati, one of the guest speakers, told the boys that more girls graduate from universities these days than boys, and that of the 100% of girls who start Grade 10, most will finish Grade 12, while this is not the same for boys.
He said that today, more and more households are headed by women, which was not the case a few years ago when men filled this role. Nyati explained that today, more young boys are being recruited into criminal syndicates.
The launch was opened with a prayer by Pastor David Commons from Elsies River, while Franchesca Walker, Ward 26 councillor and chair of Subcouncil 4, conducted the welcoming address.
Walker said that the event is an opportunity for the youth to rise above their circumstances. “Many of our youth need role models, guidance, someone who can help them if things get tough out there. I take my hat off to men who step in to be a role model for young boys,” she said.
She also told them her own life story, about how she grew up in poverty in an informal structure, in a single-parent household, how she had to attend six schools because the family moved around a lot and how they had to make use of outside toilets.
Many of the boys at the meeting on Tuesday come from the same circumstances, she noted.
Walker explained, however, how many of these stumbling blocks made her stronger, how she took steps to educate herself and how she rose above her circumstances.
“It is the choices we make in life that elevate us. We must never give up on our dreams, you can be the best version of yourself, but you need to say ‘I will make it one day, come hell or high water’.
“This event is a platform to give you courage to uplift and to present yourself,” said Walker.
Sexual health and GBV highlighted
Dr Vera Scott, a health manager of the City of Cape Town responsible for running clinics and day hospitals in Khayelitsha, was the first guest speaker and spoke about sexual health and gender-based violence.
She explained that she wanted to bring two matters to their attention: HIV and GBV. Scott explained that the Western Cape has the lowest HIV prevalence in the whole of South Africa, and that the HIV rate currently sits at 7,5% in the province. “This is the lowest in a very long time. However, we are concerned because we see an increase in prevalence of the disease among young people.”
She said there are various good forms of protection available, such as using condoms and knowing their statuses.
She also cleared up some myths around GBV.
“Often we think GBV is men abusing women, but it is also men abusing men. Bullying is part of our society, but it seems as if we have come to accept it. As you get older, bullying takes on other forms of violence, physical and psychological,” Scott said.
Luvuyo Zahela, programme manager at the Cesvi Foundation based in Philippi, also shared a few words of encouragement.
“Without you, we do not have a future. It is important that you know who you are. Why do I say that? I grew up in Klipplaat in the Eastern Cape and people who come from there are often ignored.”
He then spoke about his hardships growing up, how he knew that he had to get out of his circumstances and that he knew that education was the answer. “I set a goal for myself, I knew I wanted to make something of my life and studied at UWC. Today I work in the social development sector.”
They were also told to choose their friends wisely.
“You are fortunate to be sitting here. You can become an ambassador of hope. Many other boys do not have this opportunity. The change has to start with you, I also made those choices.”
Zahela encouraged the boys to stay focused, to work hard at school and to respect their teachers, parents and elders as there seems to be a lack of respect among young people these days.
Police issues stern warning
WO Siyabonga Winston Dyantyi, a social crime prevention coordinator based in Nyanga, followed.
“This week we are heading into Easter Weekend. But come Tuesday after the long weekend, most of our prison cells will be filled with men. Ask yourself, if the majority of men are behind bars, who is protecting the family?
“You can bring about change. We need to speak about this issue, otherwise it will just continue.”
Dyantyi also spoke to them about how, if they want to apply for a job, a criminal record can have a negative effect as potential job seekers are vetted and their criminal records are checked.
“If you commit a crime now, you can still sit with that record years later. These are the serious issues we have to talk about, we have to say no to crime.”
Dyantyi also touched on substance abuse and its effects.
“This is hitting us as the police left, right and centre. When we deal with GBV cases, substance abuse is often the reason behind it. The sale and use of drugs in the Western Cape is a scourge, one of the biggest crimes that we are facing.”
He encouraged the boys to report to the police the drug lords who often recruit young men.
Walker said at a later stage they will arrange for the boys to attend National Parliament in Cape Town.
She said by talking to boys they can address gangsterism, drugs and GBV and many other social factors. She explained that the parliament is a place where they can hear from the boys themselves, and that parliament serves as a place where they can speak to elected officials.
Sanac Men’s Sector is a dedicated civil society structure under the South African National AIDS Council (Sanac) focused on mobilising men and boys to actively fight HIV, TB and STIs, and GBV.
READ ALSO: Brackenfell-polisievrou se gedig oor kindermishandeling tref wyd
