Louis Trichardt hosts Phalaphala FM men’s cook-off

LIMPOPO – Phalaphala FM hosted their Men’s Zwibodo cooking competition at Solly’s Carwash and Café in Louis Trichardt on Saturday.

Ten groups, each comprising five men participated, and the contest was won by the Mulala group. This was the fourth year the radio station presented the competition.

Phalaphala FM programme manager Sharon Ravele, said the aim of the competition was to encourage men to prepare good food for their families. “Men also grow moustaches in November each year to address and raise awareness of men’s health issues, such as prostate cancer, mental health issues, suicide, and gender-based violence,” she added.

Ravele thanked the men from the rural areas who had provided them with recipes and tips on how to prepare their dishes. “Their dishes were made with food that is packed with vitamins,” she added. She said that men must be proud of their culture and customs and not be “copycats” of other cultures.

“We must learn to love and appreciate our men. Cooking for themselves should also be preserved for the benefit of the younger generation and the community at large,” said Ravele.

In addressing the men, Adv Lucky Madzhie called on all members of society to come together to fight the scourge of gender-based violence. He said people should realise that not only women and children were abused, but that men could also be victims.

“We must not only look at one gender when addressing this problem as it affects both men and women,” he said. Madzhie suggested that men’s forums should also get involved in the fight against gender-based violence when men are the victims.

“We aim to identify causes or triggers of GBV, where men become either perpetrators or victims, and come up with solutions,” he said.

The Mulala group went home with hampers from Spar, trophy and gold medals.