GLB cerebrates men’s month in style
About Men’s Month Madida said men must not be afraid to speak out and that the police must help them, just as with women.
The Gauteng Liquor Board (GLB) and Boksburg Vosloorus Food and Beverages Association (BVFBA) celebrated Men’s Month (October) in style on Thursday, October 13 at the Birchwood Hotel.
The celebration was also attended by a large number of women as the purpose was not only to celebrate Men’s Month, but also to educate all liquor traders in Gauteng, men and women, on how to run their businesses responsibly.
Raymond Martins, the new chief director of GLB, said, “I am only 12 days into this position so I came here today to introduce myself to the members.
“But the main aim was to empower liquor members with some financial skills as how to handle their finances and also to encourage them to comply with where we want to be as traders.
“Members must register their business and also renew their licences on time as we will close down all businesses that are trading illegally. That is the right thing to do, whether people like it or not,” said Martins.
Cleo Bodibe-Lushaba, the client relations manager of the GLB, agreed with Martins and encouraged members to renew their licences, register their businesses and pay tax.
Linda Madida, president of BVFBA, explained what it means to run a business responsibly. “Running a business responsibly means to do the right thing, which is to stay away from selling liquor to minors, schoolchildren and pregnant women, not selling to people until they are over-drunk, not allowing people to drive while under the influence of alcohol and not selling to sugar daddies that are at the shebeens to bless our young daughters.
“Blessers are destroying our children’s lives. It is your duty to stop them if you see such kind of practice happening in your shebeen,” said Madida.
About Men’s Month Madida said men must not be afraid to speak out and that the police must help them, just as with women.
Neo Khoaripe, head of communication at BVFBA, said men must be taught to lead their households.
About Men’s Month, Khoaripe said it is a good initiative of the government. “We have been neglected by our own government. When we report abuse no one listens to us as men. Instead police laugh at you. I hope this time things will change,” Khoaripe said.
According to Amos Mnguni, the chairperson of BVFBA, the event “should happen every year”.
“As men we are the victims of abuse, the same way as women. Because we can’t talk about it we end up running to the shebeens to release stress. Bottling up your problems does not mean you are men. Speak out. There are people who are experiencing the same problems as you out there,” said Mnguni.
