Pastor Vusi Mashinini took the initiative of imparting a positive attitude to young men.
“MANdate came about when I saw the outcry throughout society about the social injustices committed by the male species,” he said.
“I noticed that boys without fathers were so angry and the objective is to teach boys how to be Godly men.
“God created us to be His image in all spheres of life, but that seems to be lost these days.”
According to Pastor Mashinini, we cannot expect great men if we don’t teach boys how to be those great men.
The boys are taught among other things to respect and be respected, positive behavioural skills, communication skills, business skill (saving and investing), life skills and the Bible.
Born Vusumuzi William Mashinini in Weltevreden in the Free State on 28 March 1969, he was named William after his grandfather.
Pastor Mashinini has six siblings, one brother and five sisters.
“Though my family did not have much if at all, we had love from both our parents.”
He attended his primary schooling at Kaalfontein Farm School.
Growing up in a farm and poverty-stricken, his parents made sure they got a decent education.
One of his fondest memories is herding cows before and after school.
Pastor Mashinini has bittersweet and humorous recollections of those days.
“Our school was about a 10km walk and sometimes we would go to school without shoes.
“During winter we would warm our feet by putting them in fresh cow dung.
Read the complete article in the next edition of the Standerton Advertiser.
