Indoda Wednesday activation draws close to 30 men from Alexandra
During the meeting, participants tackled pressing topics such as gender-based violence (GBV), mental health, societal expectations of masculinity, and the availability of support systems.
Close to 30 Alexandra men participated in the activation of Indoda Wednesday (Man Wednesday), on March 19 at Alex EMS.
This programme aims to actively engage men throughout Alex in strategic thinking regarding the various issues they face in their lives.
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The meeting was hosted by Alex Men’s Forum, a local organisation dedicated to the fight against gender-based violence. This forum has been holding such meetings regularly, and during this particular session, its chairperson, Charles Mpephu, emphasised the importance of starting a conversation centred on strategic thinking.
“Today [March 19], we wanted to kick off discussions with strategic thinking to foster engagement among all the men in Alex. Each man here will be part of a group where they can connect and engage with other men throughout the community.”
During the meeting, several critical issues were discussed, including gender-based violence (GBV), mental health concerns, societal expectations about masculinity, and the availability of support systems.
They also addressed the implementation of men’s dialogues across Alex, highlighting the necessity of overcoming the challenges that men face in everyday life.
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Several stakeholders attended the event, including representatives from Father A Nation, Sanca, Alexandra Water Warriors, and the Department of Health.
“When we collaborate, we can initiate a unified plan, with all stakeholders involved. We must take accountability for engaging with men because the challenges confronted by men are often similar across different organisations and communities… During our discussions, we highlighted the need for men to open up about their struggles when facing problems.”
Those who were present were able to listen to testimonies regarding the recent camp that involved 60 men in Magaliesburg. There, they participated in engaging activities and training sessions designed to equip them with tools to better support their mental health and community engagement efforts.
Mpephu pointed out that: “When they return to Alex, they are better prepared to engage with others, but it is essential to begin with personal change to inspire change in others.”
Looking ahead, Mpephu announced that the next meeting is scheduled for March 26 at Alex EMS. The forum also plans to visit various taverns in the Alex area to further engage with the community and reach out to more men.
Those interested in participating in these impactful programmes are encouraged to reach out to Charles Mpephu on 072 500 7686.
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