Men making a difference
KwaThema –The KwaThema Men’s forum held a meeting on Thursday to highlight issues within the community that affect men and the youth in the community.
The newly established forum aims to combat the spike in substance abuse, crime and unemployment that has hindered the growth of the community of KwaThema.
Chairperson Johannes Habile said that as the men of the community they had a responsibility to assist men in the community to grow and take charge of their households and community.
“Our forum wants to encourage men to take a stand in their homes and community and lead young men by example.
“We have noted that our young boys at schools have lost respect for elders and females and we want to restore those morals in the community,” he said.
The forum also aims to upskill unemployed men, and for those who aspire to be entrepreneurs, to provide funding.
The coordinator of the forum, Dan Leshike, explained that different committees would be formed within the forum so that various issues that affect and involve men could be addressed.
“Our men will be going to clinics, schools and places of safety to check what exactly they can do to assist and also get a clearer understanding of challenges that departments that operate in the community face,” he explained.
Presently the men’s forum has 150 members and is looking to recruit others.
“We are conducting door-to-door campaigns to raise awareness of our existence and what we do as a forum,” added Leshike.
The KwaThema Men’s Forum meets every Thursday at 10am at the KwaThema Skills Centre in Thema Road. Interested men are welcome to join.
