MEN TAKE THE LEAD AS MEN’S PARLIAMENT RESPONDS TO VOICES OF BOYS

By Nonhlakanipho Masola

•  ⁠The Men’s Parliament convened as part of the 5th Annual Men’s and Boys’ Parliament, following a powerful session where boys shared their lived realities and concerns.
• Discussions focused on fatherhood, mentorship, substance abuse prevention and positive masculinity as key drivers of social change.
• Leaders and community members reflected on accountability, healing and action in response to boys’ calls for guidance and protection.

As the 5th Annual Men and Boys’ Parliament draws to a close, men took the floor to engage in meaningful dialogue on issues affecting families, communities and the lives of boys across the country, carrying forward the voices shared during the Boys’ Parliament session.
The Boys’ Parliament created a safe and honest platform where young boys spoke openly about their experiences. Many expressed a strong need for guidance, mentorship and the presence of fathers and positive male role models. Their message was clear: they want men to be more present, more involved and more intentional in shaping their lives.
With the Men’s Parliament in session, the responsibility shifted to men to listen, reflect and respond with action. Delegates emphasised that the platform is not only about dialogue, but about accountability and commitment, calling on men to step forward as leaders, fathers, mentors and protectors of the next generation.
Provincial contributions highlighted that this work is already taking place within communities. From the Free State, Tebogo Mokoena from the SANAC Men’s Sector at the Free State Legislature spoke about programmes aimed at guiding boys away from drug and substance abuse and addressing the pressures that place them at risk.
“These initiatives encourage men to become father figures and mentors to boys growing up without male role models,” Mokoena said, noting that positive male involvement can prevent boys from seeking guidance from harmful influences.
A deeply moving contribution came from Pietermaritzburg resident Johnathan Peterson, a former offender and trained professional nurse, who shared his personal journey of serving 10 years in prison.
He reflected on how absent fathers and broken family structures are common among inmates, and how violence and trauma experienced behind bars continue to shape lives long after release.
“Prison is not a place anyone should want to experience,” Peterson said, urging young boys to stay away from gangsterism and calling on men to remain actively involved in their children’s lives.
Another powerful testimony came from Bongumusa Zulu, a 30 year old recovering addict from Potchefstroom, who shared how he battled substance abuse for 13 years after being exposed to drugs at home from a young age.
After overcoming addiction, Zulu founded an organisation called Phara to Paradise, where he now supports others struggling with drug and alcohol dependency.
“It pains me that I lost so many years of my youth to drugs,” he said. “I could have built a better life, but today I want to show others that recovery and change are possible.”
Delivering the keynote address, Minister of Social Development Ms Nokuzola Sisisi Tolashe said the National Men and Boys’ Parliament represents a concrete contribution by the SANAC Men’s Sector towards accelerating the implementation of the National Strategic Plan on Gender Based Violence and Femicide.
She emphasised that preventing violence in all its forms requires the active participation of men and boys through initiatives such as the Better Men for Tomorrow Campaign.
“We must challenge toxic masculinity and misogyny in all their forms if we are to build safer families and communities,” she said.
As the Parliament concludes, delegates reaffirmed a shared commitment to ensuring that the voices of boys are not only heard, but translated into action that builds a more caring, accountable and responsible society.