Nyanga-based non-profit organisation, Nyanga Men Empowerment, has called on men – particularly young men – to help bring down the high level of gender-based violence (GBV).
To address these young men and to recruit ambassadors for their cause, the NPO held a Young Men Dialogue on GBV. At the event they also introduced their four newly trained ambassadors – Siyamcela Rolomani, Banele Rani, Anele Dolweni and Brian Mxinwa – who are working with social workers to help victims of GBV.
On Tuesday morning, speaking at the Nyanga Art Development Centre (NADC), founding member Malusi Xego urged the men to desist from abusing their partners, to be role models to their children and play an active role in family life to make South Africa better.
“We urge men to refrain from harming and killing women. We are here for them… to refer them to relevant organisations if we cannot help the problem. But we have professionals to do counselling. Another thing that we want to do is recruit more ambassadors. Nyanga has so many challenges that need men to stand up. This organisation is here to fight some of the social ills and find solutions,” he said.
Zamabhele Willie, a court preparation officer at the Philippi Court, also called on young boys to be educated about being better men. This was supported by others at the gathering.
“It is not about going to circumcision and doing whatever you do there. It is about going to the mountain as a boy and coming back as a man. We really need real men. Young boys should learn from men how to behave accordingly. We should be proud of them when they come back from the mountain. So men of society should step up and allow men to take up their responsibilities. As men their duty is to lead. Don’t force us to take that role. It won’t be nice. So man up so that this country can be at peace. The ball is in your court because,” she said.
She added that old and young men needed to be “educated together” on many issues including GBV and the law of the country.
Nosisana Nama, director of the Nyanga Arts Development Centre, congratulated Nyanga’s men for forming such a progressive organisation and recognising the need for men to stand up and put Nyanga on the map – for the right reasons.
Ms Nama advised men to seek help when they are stressed or emotional. “Men suppress their feeling and when it bursts, all hell breaks loose,” she said.
“They kill because they do not share their feelings with close friends, family members or social workers. It is even difficult for them to go to the police station and open up a case when they are abused. I am glad there is this platform now where men can speak and support each other,” she added.
According to ambassador, Mr Rolomani, the responsibility should be to start reporting their cases of abuse. “It is not that men are not abused but they are not coming forward. We need men to speak up. As ambassadors we are trained to deal with most issues and do referrals when needs be,” he said.