SA MEN CALLED TO LEAD FIGHT AGAINST GBV

By Lawrence Mashabela.

• Over 150 men gathered at a Fatherhood Month event to confront Gender-Based Violence and commit to active change.
• The Men’s Forum urged men to reject harmful stereotypes and take accountability
• Speakers stressed the link between absent fatherhood, male mental health and GBV

As part of Fatherhood Month celebrations, the Gauteng Department of Social Development, in partnership with the Men’s Forum, hosted a powerful engagement session with men at the Southern Corridor regional office on Saturday 5 July 2025.

The purpose of the session was to raise continuous awareness about Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), while engaging men on social challenges that affect them directly such as inequality, unemployment, and mental health, which are often contributing factors to GBV. About 150 men from across the region attended the session to add their voices to this critical conversation.

The Chairperson of the Men’s Forum, Mr Veli Shongwe, emphasised the need for men to take responsibility for their actions and to boldly say “Not in our name” when it comes to GBV. “We have realised that campaigns to prevent GBV must directly involve men and boys. That’s why we are inviting men to step up, join the movement, and take a stand,” said Shongwe, who stressed the importance of creating safe spaces where men can speak openly about their struggles.

“Men are often raised to be tough and silent about their pain, but in that silence they destroy themselves mentally,” he said. Shongwe also highlighted that many GBV perpetrators are shaped by harmful cultural perceptions of gender roles, power dynamics and the normalisation of male aggression and dominance.

Thato “TT” Mbha, a social entrepreneur and chartered marketer, encouraged men to become positive role models in their families and communities. “Some young boys grow up violent because they lacked present and positive father figures. We encourage fathers to be there for their children, to talk to them, and to teach them the value of respecting and protecting women,” he said.

A motivational speaker, Melusi Ngwenya, stressed the urgent need to address men’s mental health challenges. “Men also go through difficult times. Young people need to see their fathers’ model values like honesty, respect, and empathy,” Ngwenya said.

A member of the audience, Tebogo Mofokeng, praised the dialogue, saying such engagements should happen monthly until GBV is significantly reduced. “Despite laws and awareness campaigns, some men still justify violence under certain circumstances and see the law as being too lenient toward women. I am pleased with platforms like this, as they provide much-needed information and guidance. I’m confident that change is possible,” he stated.