Giving young men a platform to speak out

With young men having to face different social and emotional issues they do not always have a place where they feel safe enough to speak about them and get the help and guidance they need.

A new Young Men Dialogue programme in Kagiso is exactly that … a place for young men to talk.

Thabo Motlhabi said young men in society are faced with various challenges, including a lack of skills development, substance abuse, becoming fathers at an early age, peer pressure, dropping out of school, becoming involved in crime, a lack of a family support system, not having a father to talk to about male-related issues, a high unemployment rate, a lack of mentorship and a platform where they can talk about issues affecting them.

He said the young men are fathers and the community leaders of tomorrow.

For this reason the Muyo Youth Centre in Extension 12 in Kagiso hosted a two-day Young Men Dialogue for the youth of the community on Thursday, May 26 and Friday, May 27. Religious leaders, the Men Sector from Mogale City, social workers from Mogale City as well as the chairperson of the Muyo Youth Centre were among those involved. The dialogue was held at the Kagiso community hall.

The dialogue allowed them to speak about their challenges, especially the lack of a father figure and how this had affected them as young men growing up.

Thabo said they also wanted to empower the men economically and socially, and motivate them to go back to school and study to develop themselves. He said most of the are from disadvantaged homes where either only one person has a job, or everyone is unemployed and they live off social grants.

“It was time to bring them together so they could talk about their substance abuse, why they commit crime, gangsterism, mental-health issues, the high unemployment rate and other issues affecting men,” Thabo said.

Boitshepo Lesetedi from the Men Sector in Mogale City agreed that young men needed to talk about their challenges, adding that they also needed mentorship programmes and support from their parents.

“This was a good start and if the boy child can be given a space to talk, they can be better people,” Boitshepo said.

He added that the men are seen on street corners and labelled as criminals, and whenever a crime is committed they are blamed.

“As community members, we don’t know the real stories of these young men and the reasons for them engaging in gangsterism or substance abuse.”

Mogale City social worker Thabelo Madi said continued engagement is needed to help the men with their issues and equip them with skills to empower them.

“We need to create a forum to breach the gap between young men and women so we know what issues affect the youth. Young people are solution-driven, and our community, the government and stakeholders need to help them. It is time to work together,” Thabelo said.

Thabo said the youth responded positively and that 45 young men joined them on the day.

“It was a real dialogue, all about engagement; not just a programme but a good start for young men to speak out,” Thabo said.

Thapelo Sibande from the Muyo Youth Centre said black children should not give up, they should allow time for themselves, and men should learn to speak about the issues they face.

The plan is to host similar programmes and add skills development and entrepreneurship programmes.