Changing the status quo for local men with Qina Jita NPO
Qina Jta, was founded in 2020 and works in various parts of the country addressing societal challenges facing young men and boys.
The inclusion of young men and boys is suggested to be a critical part to changing the current climate of Gender Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) and driving gender equality in the country.
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This was the underlying message at the inaugural men’s seminar organised by local Non-profit Organisation, Qina Jita over the weekend themed, “Nithini Ngathi” which sought to cast a sharp focus on the boy child.
According to its founder, Neo Moseta, the purpose of the engagement was to reinforce empowerment programmes targeted at investing in the boy child.
Mosete who shared that he grew up without a father said there was a lack of mentorship for young boys in the township.
“We have seen that there are no preventative programmes aimed at young boys. There is no one holding their hands and walking this journey with them,” Moseta said.
“And so today, we are asking what about men, nobody is talking about the boy child.
“Why are the perpetrators left behind?
“We don’t want our sons to grow up with the same pressures and that begins with me as a father to an 8-year-old son.
“I must lead by example not to my son only but a leader to the community for these young men,” he concluded.
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Former SA football legend, William ‘Naughty’ Mokoena said the event marked an important turning point for young boys in the township, adding that it would have great impact.
“The whole aim is to make sure that young men don’t fall in the same traps that we once found ourselves and that we use our mistakes to guide them into being better men and better decision making.
“We do this by encouraging sports participation but we also emphasise the importance of education first and giving them the tools to navigate as they grow because football is a short term career,” the former Orlando pirates and Bafana Bafana midfielder said.
Prominent speakers included renowned actor Muzi Mthabela and musical artist Robot Boii who shared their experiences and advice with the attendees in a bid to inspire them.
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Mthabela, known for his roles on Isibaya and Generations The Legacy used his address to encourage men to live Godly lives.
He conceded there was still a lot of unlearning from men that needed to occur in order to change the narrative.
“The one thing I want them to take away is the importance of the sacred place where you go as a men into the presence of God. A place where you pray, intercede and break generational curses.
“I encourage men to spend time in the scared place, read the word and know what God is saying to you about your vision, about his purpose over your life and what tools you need,” Mthabela stated.
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Qina Jita, was founded in 2020 and works in various parts of the country addressing societal challenges facing young men and boys, mentoring and empowering them with tools to navigate life.
The organisation also does charity drives for young men in the rural areas where they deliver school shoes and sanitary towels.
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