WATCH: Young Men Indaba 2020 empowers young men
Some of the objectives of the Indaba were to equip young men with knowledge on how to deal with different aspects of life.
Almost 90 young men attended the inaugural Young Men Indaba 2020, hosted by Inyathi Visions in La Rochelle on February 25.
Some of the objectives of the Indaba were to equip young men with knowledge on how to deal with different aspects of life.
Topics that were discussed ranged from men and social ills, men in business, men identity to men as father figures. Also, gender-based violence was discussed.
The benchmark statement for the day was, ‘A boy needs men as example, needs the opportunity to grow under the leadership of a man. If he doesn’t have that influence, he will spend most of his life creating his own idea of manhood, which isn’t often good. Brothers, you must stand up and become good fathers, mentors and role models’.
Key speakers for the day were Nkululeko Buthelezi (men in business), Fana Phakathi (men identity) and Simphiwe Hlafa (father figure). The programme director was Mbongeni Ndlanzi.
Phakathi talked about the support that men need in life, as well as the need to know when and where to support other men. “We need to support one another as men. We also need to support our children and families,” he said
Hlafa spoke about the present father in a family unit.
“We know that some fathers work; however, it is important to put your family first and have time for your loved ones. “Take responsibility and always ask yourself whether you have done your best as a father,” he said
Buthelezi mentioned that the first step is to empower yourself as man, in that way it will be easier to take care of your family.
“The first challenge is to know English as most businesses use it to communicate. If you are not reading, start now, read.
“In this community, we need role models whom these young men can look up to, people who are present.
“Be strategic in your thinking, business is not always far away, think of something around you that is in demand and then supply it.
“Dare to dream and have a willingness to apply yourself. Stop being lazy, business will often fail, but you need to start again.
“Remember, all entrepreneurs have similar traits such as self-motivation, taking risks and they have a passion for what they do,” he explained.
Inyathi Visions is a non-profit organisation that was formally started with the objectives of community development and poverty-alleviation interventions. This is done through activities that are aimed at the appropriate provision of psychosocial development and support services to its beneficiaries. The support includes intervention services that render social relief programmes within this region’s community where state social relief programmes cannot support people.
Advice services on skills development, social support programmes and entrepreneurship are provided to vulnerable youth, children and their families and unemployed people in the area.
For any information, visit them at No. 2 corner of 11th Street, La Rochelle, opposite the open park with green palisade fence, next to La Rochelle Primary School, or contact centre manager Neo Mnisi on 083 380 8170. Alternatively, email mmadineo@gmail.com
WATCH: video of Nkululeko talks business
https://www.facebook.com/SouthernCourierSA/videos/948789668849570/
