The City of Johannesburg’s chairpersons of portfolio committees, who are predominantly men, descended on Alexandra on Wednesday morning, 20 April 2022, to get young and old men, to take responsibility for many social ills.

Under the banner of Mintirho Ya Vulavula (action speaks louder than word), which is the programme led by the Chair of Chairs, Cllr Colleen Makhubele, the Chairpersons of Section 79 Committees conducted an oversight visit across Region E, starting in Alex.

The full-day multi-faceted programme tackled gender-based-violence, gender relations and gender equality, drugs, food security and empowerment of the boy child, among other issues.

The group visited Ekukhanyisweni Primary School, Gordon Primary School, Disability Wellness Centre, Ratang Bana Wellness Centre and the Paterson Park Recreation Centre where a Men’s Roundtable took place.

Cllr Makhubele called on men to take their rightful place in society.

“Today, we are gathered here to harness the positive aspects of men in our society. We want to bring them to the fore and want them to be celebrated. Of course, we can talk about the other side as well, but in the manner that is going to uplift, heal and show the different way forward,” said Cllr Makhubele.

Enrique Bhana, who is leading an organisation that positively influences young men, encouraged boys to rise above their challenges.

“I teach young boys to step up because they don’t have fathers in their lives… I also run a forum where we come together as men and talk. Whether you’re a drunkard or former convict, we come together every week and talk about our experiences,” said Bhana, who grew up in a fatherless household.

Veteran actor Zane Meas said a lot of men were confused about their role in society.

“More than 10 years ago, men used to be breadwinners. Today it is women who have become breadwinners. I appreciate gender equality as it is necessary, but no one is speaking to men telling them that they are still important, so men are confused today. Men don’t know which role they should play,” said Meas.

He said his organisation and others were working hard to teach boys to keep the girls safe as there has been a gap left by absent fathers.

Section 79 Committee Chairperson for Public Safety, Cllr Solomon Maila, said they were in agreement with President Cyril Ramaphosa that the scourge of gender-based-violence was another pandemic that we should all fight.

“We are here to say we care about the children. We are communicating the message of love, the message of care and that we understand their situations and are here to support them,” said Cllr Maila.

Section 79 Committee Chairperson for Health and Social Development, Cllr Lubabalo Magwentshu, urged pupils to respect their teachers and parents in order to have a brighter future.

Section 79 Committee Chairperson for Housing, Cllr Alex Christians, said boys needed to respect the girl-children and girls needed to respect themselves.

Onkarabile Madumo, 12, a Grade 6 pupil at Ekukhanyisweni, said the programme taught him that it was wrong to hit fellow girl pupils.

Written by Nkosana Lekotjolo
21/04/2022