Sanac deputy president calls on men to stand together
Paul Mashatile said he delighted that as men they engaged in an open dialogue to deliberately tackle the responsibility in moulding the country's future.
LIMPOPO – Deputy President Paul Mashatile called on men to stand united in responding to the many challenges that exist in society.
Mashatile, in his capacity as chairperson of the South African National Aids Council (Sanac), launched the Takuwani Riime Programme of Action for the period 2023-2025 under the theme ‘Term of Community Men’s Parliaments’ at a function held at the Masia Multi-Purpose Centre in Vhembe on Sunday.
‘Takuwani Riime’ is a Tshivenda expression meaning ‘Let us stand up together, a clarion call for all men to stand up and be counted as meaningfully organised partners in the advancement of community safety, and health and socio-economic development across the country.
“The sitting of this sectorial Men’s Parliament is a vital step in our ongoing commitment to fostering positive masculinity in our society. It is important that we understand violence against women as a global phenomenon, and also appreciate that through concerted efforts we can bring an end to this scourge. We know that gender-based violence has a negative impact on the socio-economic status not only of women and girls but on men as well. Ending this scourge is therefore urgent, and critical for our development as South Africa and Africa,” said Mashatile
He added that these gatherings are critical steps in addressing some of the social ills that exist and are perpetuated by patriarchy in the communities.
“I am delighted that as men, we have convened today to engage in an open dialogue among ourselves, to deliberate introspectively and tackle the responsibility that we bear in moulding the trajectory of our country’s future. We are here to say that, we will not sit back and watch the future of men and women in our country be destroyed by the scourge of violence.”
He thanked traditional leaders, faith-based organisations and NGOs for the role they play in fighting the scourge of violence in their communities.
“The transformation of our society certainly relies on multi-stakeholder collaboration across all sectors. It is indeed our moral responsibility, collectively as men specifically, to have a say in the safety concerns, socio-economic and political issues that confront our nation. It is unacceptable that our country has the highest female homicide rate among five countries with the highest annual murders,” he remarked.
One of the senior traditional leaders of Vhavenda, Thovhele Tshedza Netshimbupfe, vowed to mobilise other traditional leaders and their communities to support the Men’s Parliament and the launch of Takuwani Riime Men’s Movement Campaign.
Thovhele Netshimbupfe said it was worrying that women’s freedom was lost “at the hands of our male friends, colleagues and family members who exploit young women through sexual coercion, who boastfully relate stories of date rape, and who won’t take no for an answer”.
