Shaping boys into men of tomorrow
"We wanted them to speak freely and learn from other older, more experienced men."
Many campaigns have been done for girls and women to equip them with vast knowledge in order to better themselves.
They are told how to better take care of themselves health-wise, how to protect themselves should they find themselves in harm’s way, the importance of education and being independent.
At times they are also told which role to play when they get into relationships with the opposite sex…but what about the boys and men? Who is doing campaigns to better the men?
- Related Story: Graveyard shift shows no mercy
That’s the exact reason that prompted Johannah Dlamini and Tabea Nong to establish an organisation called Be Accentuated, last year, that will not only focus on girls but boys too.
“Initially we started by hosting lady’s events where we empowered each other and we also made a difference around the community by donating clothes and food to an NGO called Sinethemba Community Care Centre,” explained Dlamini.
“We decided to cater for boys and men as well this year because they have been neglected for so long plus we have sons that we want to see grow up to be responsible men.
We want to go back to the original plan that God had when He created Adam. Adam who was creative, who took charge, who took initiation and understood that Eve was his partner and helper that he will defend, love protect and listen to,” emphasised Nong.
The ladies decided to host an event called #ShapingBoysintoKings on November 18 to reach out to males. Even though they were hosts they didn’t participate in the discussions between the young men and guest speakers that were strictly male.
“We wanted them to speak freely and learn from other older, more experienced men,” said Nong.
- Related Story: Help Khuluma’s new home make a recovery
Speakers at the event were Bongani Zwane, Bongani Mngomezulu, Tebogo Moloko, Ncedo Gogela, Siphesihle Buthelezi and Gugu Dlamini.
All men who were established in their own right spoke to the young about various topics that ranged from peer pressure to money issues.
“We plan to officially register our organisation and expand it so that it becomes an umbrella for other NGO’s that will assist them with issues such as funding.
We also plan to extend this program so it becomes a mentorship where we get to engage more with the boys and assess their development,” concluded Dlamini.
