Men share ideas and skills

This is so that they can assist each other with skills, motivation and advice, among other things.

Chairman of the organisation Johannes Habile explains that one of the purposes of this forum is to groom young men through mentorship.

It is also to provide young men with positive role models.

“Some of the young men in our society don’t have parents or father figures in their lives.

“So through this initiative we teach them life skills and guide them so that they can leave substances and other social skills.

“As neighbours we also need to step in and assist where our help in needed and involve even social workers if needed, as we cannot abandon our children abusing substances,” he says.

He adds that it is their job to assist those young people who abuse substances to enter rehabilitation centres or get help from other stakeholders.

“We encourage men from KwaThema to come and join us because we also understand that some men are not comfortable speaking to women.

“Therefore here, they can talk to us as men and where necessary we can put them in touch with other forums or structures that can help,” he adds.

Organiser of the forum, Boys Ndaba adds that they also aim help unemployed men obtain skills.

“We have realised that other men don’t know what their roles are all about and how they should treat others, so we can provide assistance to them.

“This will benefit you as we are men making a difference, so please come and join us,” he says.

The forum holds meetings at the skills centre weekly on Thursday from 10am to 11am.

Habile also shares that they will officially be launching on September 16 and will conduct a Men’s Indaba at the KwaThema Hall from 9am to 3pm.

Various government department representatives, male speakers, and men’s forums members from other areas will be present.

They encourage local men to attend.

For more information on the forum or the launch contact Habile on 074 948 3735 or Ndaba on 071 924 0162.