“Our men, brothers, fathers and sons are considerately left unsure of themselves. They are not so confident of what they have to offer to the society, in the workplace, marriage, relationships and in their homes.
“There was a time in the society where men had a role. There had a physical strength to go to work, our culture defined what a men was, and our religion defined what a men was to be or ought to be but that era is long gone.”
Those were the words of the City of Johannesburg’s Chair of Chairs, Cllr Colleen Makhubele, as she brought the special programme of Influence in Region E of Men to a close on Wednesday, 20 April 2022.
The Men of Influence programme focuses on creating awareness and engaging on practical issues to eradicate GBV, drugs recovery, food security, highlighting male role models, men’s spirituality and improving gender relations.
The City partnered with Old Mutual, University of Johannesburg and QRATE to address gender imbalances within the communities and promote a healthy socio-economic fibre between men and women in the society.
The programme kicked off with a visit at Ekukhanyisweni Primary School in Alexandra for an educational talk with the Grade 6 & 7 pupils and to distribute sanitary, dignity packs and food packs through the City of Johannesburg’s Social Development Department.
It was followed by a site visit to child-headed homes around Ekukhanyisweni with the City’s Health & Social Development Department.
Author Charley Pieterson, who has written Growing Up Without A Father, made a presentation at the Paterson Park Recreation Centre in Norwood during a gala dinner to close off the day’s events.
“I just want to talk to the kings right now. Kings, I just want to let you know that I see you, king I recognise you. I am talking to you men. You made mistakes and we all make mistakes, you are not going to be defined by your mistakes, you have to learn from them.
“You tried to be a better father, husband, men or a better person. I see you doing it, getting up every day to provide for your family.”
The City wants to ensure that the role men play across communities never go unnoticed and want to create a space where men talk about the challenges they face in their families, workplace, relationships, marriages and in the society at large.
“Substance abuse is a key factor in our community that affects our male youth. There is this new trending thing called “lean”. It is a cough syrup that they mix with Sprite and it makes them drunk. We know as community members who sells these things but we keep quiet, I would like to urge the community to work closely with us to eradicate this dilemma we are facing as the city,” added Chairperson of Oversight Committee on the Legislature, Cllr Peter Rafferty.
Leading South African actor, Zane Meas, encouraged fathers to be present in their children’s lives and to teach young boys to speak up and move away from the “men don’t cry” belief.
Written by Gontse ‘GeE’ Hlophe
20/04/2022