The hosting of the first men’s parliament under the INkosi Langalibalele marked afforded men from different communities to come together and engage each other on issues affecting them as leaders in their families.
 
The issues of gender based violence (here and after referred to as SGBVF), violence against young girls and boys and violence against men as well. The Takuwani Riime men’s movement in the uThukela district, places much emphasis on addressing the economic hardship that men, women, disabled persons, the elderly and youth faces during this current economic downturn.

This was exacerbated by the outbreak of the deadly corona virus and lately followed by the sporadic incidents of civil unrest in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal. This parliament was attended by all Government Departments, Civil Organisations and social partners came to a men’s parliament that took place on the 31st August 2021, at the ILM Council chamber(Wembezi).
 
The ILM Local Champion Honorable JM Mbele was part to give a message of support to all men that took their time to gather and discuss very pertinent issues. She was flanked by Honorable B Mlotshwa and Honorable BN Mpembe representing the Municipal Council. The presiding officer for this very hillarious men’s parliament was by Honorable B Mlotshwa.
 
It is during this 2021 men’s parliament at the ILLM that issues regarding organisational development, skills development, leadership and sustainability of men’s programmes were tackled and explored during this dialogue on mitigating societal challenges faced by men in recent times. All COVID-19 protocols were adhered to. Stakeholders that attended the seating included:
 
The ILM, DSD,DSR,Men in Christ, IEC, DOH, Cogta, LTT, mens sector, civil society, UTDM, JAPAECO, Ikhaya Lamadoda, Simunye Youth Organization, Love Life.
 
Ubuhle bendoda yizinkomo zayo… what is a man without the ability to provide,? This is a question that need to be answered?
 
These structures should help men with programmes that will enable them to provide for their families. Umuthi ugotshwa usemanzi- Children needs to be brought up in a manner that will make them responsible citizens. Honorable MP Mchunu highlighted the fact that the lost generation is a result of external forces that has just penetrated the African people from other races. We are therefore reactive to causal factors like GBV, we do not have preventative measures. People should do things just for the sake of doing it, but for the purpose of championing change.
 
The keynote by Honorable. S Mthembu moved the parliament when he took the word ACT and broke it down as “Action changes things”. He stated that communication is one of the aspects that contributes to the breakdown of many relationships that leads to men being abusive.
 
Calling men thrash is one other means of killing men’s image. This is the same strategy that Nebkednazer and Faro used to eliminate males during their reign. He stressed that all males before they begin to take action, they must pause a bit and think proper before lipping into action.
 
The same narrative was echoed by Honorable Mkhonto, who cited that anger is a natural process that would overwhelm any man, but the problem is to act according to your anger and use violence. Low self esteem was cited as one of the major contributors to the unbecoming behaviour of men in the society. It cannot be attributed to substance abuse, violence, suicide- these are all aftermaths.
 
There is a source of all these actions. Honorable BN Mpembe urged members to commit themselves to denounce all form of violence against women and children in all platforms. Honorable Radebe stressed that men need to take care of themselves in order to be able to take care of their families.
 
The sitting translated into an action plane for the district men’s programmes for all LTT’s on the ground.
 
The positive that came out as resolutions of this seating was:
 
  • All members of parliament agree that both sexes use defense mechanism when they want to justify their wrong actions.
  • All men’s agreed that they will support every Programme that will be launched to help men change their behaviour.
  • All Programmes should talk to assisting unemployed males with progressive means to support their families.
  • Parliamentary seating and dialogues should not be a talk show.
  • Members of Parliament agreed that Men in their respective departments are not forth coming and fails to take leadership.
  • Parental responsibilities must be revived from both males and females.
  • Men should all reunite with their children both in and out of wedlock and begin to instill family values.
  • Honorable members all agreed that Peer Pressure is one of the causes that kills relationships in families and must be tackled at its infancy (when it begins to show its head)
  • Until we put principle into the lifestyle of families to help build a healthy men, we will fight a losing battle.
  • Parliamentarians agreed that schools, churches, and social clubs must be the strategy to penetrate young men at ward level.
  • Honorable Members agreed that Its high time that OSS/DDM, LAC’s, WAC and WTT’s should be taken serious by all councilors and the Administration in all Municipalities.
  • Grade 11 and 12 should be trained to help lead programmes to make it easier for teenagers to relate and make sense of all awareness campaigns.
  • The behaviour of adult males dating young girls in public perpetrates irresponsible behaviour to the current generation. Fathers should begin to behave in a fatherly manner even their conducts should sing the same tune.
  • Members of parliament committed no men should sleep with under-aged girls in their surroundings.
  • In all gatherings this should be our daily talks min all forms of gatherings where men discuss current issues(teenage pregnancy should be denounced at all costs)
  • Honorable Members all unanimously confirmed that if you live don’t have the fear of the lord you will be the cause of all destruction we see on this earth.
  • Parliamentarians agreed that a formal structure for the ILM has to be established and strengthened in order to be owned by the Local Council to seriously tackle men related issues.

Issued by : Office of the Municipal Manager

Communication Unit