REPORT: 

Two sessions were held on the same day, a morning session ran from 10h00 to 12h00 at the Desmond Tutu Hall and an evening session from 17h00 to 19h00 at the VUT Lapa Lounge.

  • Both sessions were opened by the Department of student support who welcomed the students and highlighted the importance of these workshops. The department highlighted the challenges they were encountering from students who were not reporting incidents of abuse to the campus protection services and/or psychologists assigned to assist the students.

  • Some of the common messages male students reported having received about masculinity in their childhood years were:

    1. Men don’t not cry.
    2. Real men are those who have money.
    3. Manhood is only achieved through initiation schools and polygamy.

  • Many of the male students reported that they come from households where their fathers did not show them affection, do not communicate, are passive and some are even abusive.

  • Both workshops demonstrated that the students were aware of the challenges surrounding manhood and masculinity and how these challenges contribute to the scourge of gender based violence in the country and around the world.

  • In concluding the workshops, the department of student support thanked the Father A Nation team for the workshop and encouraged students to communicate the message of the workshop to students in surrounding residences and student houses.

  • Both sessions were opened by the Department of student support who welcomed the students and highlighted the importance of these workshops. The department highlighted the challenges they were encountering from students who were not reporting incidents of abuse to the campus protection services and/or psychologists assigned to assist the students.

  • Some of the common messages male students reported having received about masculinity in their childhood years were:

    1. Men don’t not cry.
    2. Real men are those who have money.
    3. Manhood is only achieved through initiation schools and polygamy.

  • Many of the male students reported that they come from households where their fathers did not show them affection, do not communicate, are passive and some are even abusive.

  • Both workshops demonstrated that the students were aware of the challenges surrounding manhood and masculinity and how these challenges contribute to the scourge of gender based violence in the country and around the world.

  • In concluding the workshops, the department of student support thanked the Father A Nation team for the workshop and encouraged students to communicate the message of the workshop to students in surrounding residences and student houses.

What I learnt:

“HOW TO TREAT A WOMAN.”

Botshelo Moumakoe, Student

“A MAN IS NOT DEFINED BY MONEY BUT BY HIS ACTIONS.”

Mlondolozi Sibisi, Student

“EVERY MAN HAS VALUE TO GIVE.”

Odirile Ledimgwane, Student

“THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR BEING A MONSTER IN YOUR FAMILY.”

Thapelo Mabusa, Student

Biggest challenges you face:

“I need to be a father figure at home even though I’m still a student.”

Tshepo Motemo, Student

“Not being able to speak about my problems as a man.”

Anonymous, Student

“Mentoring things that should have been mentored by my father.”

Bonang Morake, Student

“Growing up without my own father.”

Mukhodeni Tuarago, Student

What will you change?

“I will protect abused women.”

Kamoselo Senamo , Student

“I will stop degrading my own manhood.”

Maledi Kgwale, Student

“I will prevent abuse against women in my community.”

Simphiwe Maatjale, Student

“My personal lifestyle, my choices and my friends.”

Tshepo Shoro, Student

“I will change my attitude to be a real man that our country needs.”

Enos Mehlakwane, Student

“To stop beating girls no matter how angry I am.”

Omphemetse Molo, Student

“I would like to start a group where men meet and talk about our challenges.”

Andrew Baloyi, Student

What I learnt:

“HOW TO TREAT A WOMAN.”

Botshelo Moumakoe, Student

“A MAN IS NOT DEFINED BY MONEY BUT BY HIS ACTIONS.”

Mlondolozi Sibisi, Student

“EVERY MAN HAS VALUE TO GIVE.”

Odirile Ledimgwane, Student

“THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR BEING A MONSTER IN YOUR FAMILY.”

Thapelo Mabusa, Student

Biggest challenges you face:

“I need to be a father figure at home even though I’m still a student.”

Tshepo Motemo, Student

“Not being able to speak about my problems as a man.”

Anonymous, Student

“Mentoring things that should have been mentored by my father.”

Bonang Morake, Student

“Growing up without my own father.”

Mukhodeni Tuarago, Student

What will you change?

“I will protect abused women.”

Kamoselo Senamo , Student

“I will stop degrading my own manhood.”

Maledi Kgwale, Student

“I will prevent abuse against women in my community.”

Simphiwe Maatjale, Student

“My personal lifestyle, my choices and my friends.”

Tshepo Shoro, Student

“I will change my attitude to be a real man that our country needs.”

Enos Mehlakwane, Student

“To stop beating girls no matter how angry I am.”

Omphemetse Molo, Student

“I would like to start a group where men meet and talk about our challenges.”

Andrew Baloyi, Student

“I will man-up emotionally, physically and spiritually.”

– Klans Modise

WATCH A SHORT CLIP OF THE WORKSHOP