“I have learnt a lot of things about family and how mothers care a lot and how a lot of people choose their mother over their father because their fathers have left.”

These were the words of a learner who took part in a Boy Child conference during the school holidays. Hosted by the Metro South Education District Office, and held at West End Primary in Lentegeur, it was designed to create a safe environment for boys to share their challenges and equip them with a toolbox of skills to navigate those challenges.

Grade 8 and 9 boys from high schools across the metro were invited to attend.

The event was a collaboration between two management and governance-support functions within the education district office, represented at each school — Safe Schools and Representative Learner Council (RCL). The boys listened and took part in discussions on fatherhood, personal growth and mindset transformation.

According to David Marthinus, Acting Deputy Director of Management and Governance Support, the need for such a conference was gauged by identifying several key problem areas: more boys than girls not completing their schooling; the mental health of boys, who are often told to “be strong” and not talk about their feelings, raising the boy child to become responsible men and growing up without positive role models.

Day 1: Opening and engagement

On the first day, Marlon Botha of the organisation Heartlines led a session entitled “Our Fatherhood Stories”. A campaign it runs, Fathers Matter, encourages the active, positive presence of fathers and father figures, and is the largest of its kind in Africa.

“Through an engaging and active session the boys shared their own experiences,” Marthinus said.

The programme then moved to the Rich in Mind Movement, led by Shewaan Jumat, which focused on personal growth, mindset transformation and honest storytelling.

“His content was aimed at empowering youth with making the right choices, supporting communities and promoting education,” Marthinus said. “His stories drew on real-life experiences, struggles, resilience and personal victories.”

The morning concluded with a session by Dr Shahieda Jansen, who focused on masculinity and the socio-moral personhood, drawing on the ubuntu philosophy, which enshrines social reciprocity, to develop the Umoya-Self framework.

“The session was lively and engaging, with good vigorous debate leading to self-awareness,” Marthinus said.

Day 2: Reflection and resilience

The second day began with a reflection before Dr Alicia English focused on building resilience and “rewriting one’s story” through group activities.

Jansen returned to conclude her presentation before proceedings closed with another reflection on the John Lennon song “Imagine”. The boys were told to imagine a world where boys had positive role models that encouraged and supported them, Marthinus said.

Feedback from those attending

Marthinus said feedback was good.

One principal said the conference had meaningful topics that resonated with learners.

A learner said: “It was fun. There were a lot of activities. It was interesting to interact with other students to find their background out and the challenges they face daily.”

The learner who uttered the opening quotation said: “We communicated with one another and we understand and help one another.”

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