Sakhile men came together not to fight gender-based violence just on a legal manner any more, but to fight it spiritually.
The Apostolic Faith Mission in Sakhile hosted a prayer meeting on Freedom Day, 27 April from 8am and the concept of freedom was eloquently phrased, saying no freedom is possible except through intervention by the Almighty.
Mr Sifiso Khumalo earlier on the way to Sakhile, called gender-based violence demonic.
Past Mandla Malangeni cut to the chase with saying sexual violence is not a challenge, but a problem.
“It happens daily in black communities,” Past Malangeni added.
Their most recent case was the rape of a four-year-old. The guitar was strummed, the drummer ready, soundboard ready, singers were on the podium and amid music, the prayer meeting began in earnest.
Rhythmic dancing and singing followed.
Speakers and pastors agreed wholeheartedly that compounding problems such as the use of nyaope and trying the route of rehabilitation, did not offer the desired result.
One sentiment offered about the youth abusing drugs was that they are supposed to be the lawyers, doctors and scientists of their generation.
Mr Louis Thabethe of the NGO, #IAM was given a chance to explain their role in assisting victims of either gender in court cases.
“We help them with opening a case, writing their statements and going to court,” Mr Thabethe said.
“We monitor the case to ensure it is properly prosecuted.”
He had no qualms about questioning the old adage that men don’t cry and attributed it to the way they are raised, which in turn sometimes leads to acts of violence.
“Men are perpetrating gender-based violence and #IAM is aware of five such cases in the past few months.”
According to Mr Thabethe, the defence used by men is usually that they are in a relationship with the victim.
Past Jabu Tshabalala argued in his sermon that the father should be the priest of the house and asked the audience:
“What legacy as fathers are we leaving behind?”
During his sermon, Past Malangeni identified several issues of concern in society to be prayed for namely, residents who have contracted the coronavirus, an end to sexual violence and an end to corruption.
Three groups of men then formed, praying specifically for the three areas that were identified.
