‘Isibaya Samadoda’ programme calls for men to take stock of their health
KZN Department of Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane and the traditional leadership in Amajuba district held a program to engage men in issues such as their health as well as gender based violence.
The rural area of Mndozo, outside Osizweni, came alive on Friday as Health MEC, Nomagugu Simela, paid a visit to the community as traditional leadership hosted a local event aimed at facilitating discussions about men’s issues.
MEC Simela, in collaboration with traditional leader Inkosi Khumalo led the ‘Isibaya sa Madoda,’ (which translates to ‘men’s kraal’) encouraged men to prioritise their health and discuss issues that affect them.
Divided into men’s and women’s groups facilitators led discussions in which all participants were open and vocal about sensitive issues such as gender-based violence and sexual health.
During his address to the men, Inkosi Khumalo urged them to be leaders in their families and communities, starting with themselves. “Our men must prioritise their health, not just physical health, but also mental health. This will allow us to combat gender-based violence, which typically stems from internalised anger in men that has not been addressed.”
Speaking on gender based violence, Simelane addressed the women asking, ‘why do men fight us when we are not in competition with them and they know they are physically stronger than we are?’
“We understand that in order to build a thriving society, we must get men to open up and address their issue. We must all work together.”
She also encouraged women to take control of their sexual health by protecting themselves at all times.
The Health Department used the opportunity to provide mobile clinics on the site for the community to test for HIV, tuberculosis screening, and chronic diseases such as diabetes. This, according to the department, was done to encourage both men and women to be aware of their health status, as well as to get men used to getting regular health checks.
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