16 Aug 2015

Kgosi Tumelo Puleng of Letlhakeng says time is nigh for men to shed their bad boy image of associating with undesirable practices in society and to learn to be more responsible.

Giving welcome remarks at the Kweneng West MenCare graduation ceremony in Letlhakeng on Saturday August 15, Kgosi Puleng said for a long time, men had been associated with societal ills such as abuse, rape, incest as well as drug abuse.

“This is even evidenced by the fact that men’s prisons are always filled to capacity as compared to women’s prisons,” he said. He said men were also known to be slow on issues of sexual reproductive health as well as advocacy for gender equality.

“Such concerns as the reluctance to test for HIV and AIDS as well as unwillingness to participate in initiatives meant to address societal ills like abuse gives the impression that they are the perpetrators. So it is up to men to stand up and clear their image by meaningfully participating in these initiatives,” he said.

Kgosi Puleng also expressed concern about the level of reluctance by men to participate in the safe male circumcision campaign, saying instead women were leading in taking their newly born baby boys for circumcision.

“This programme was specifically designed for men, so it was only our legitimate expectation that men should lead and spearhead its success, but instead, it has been the opposite,” he said.

Kgosi Puleng said such a decision by men was ignorance of their role in society as well as abdication their responsibility. Kgosi Puleng urged men to seek more knowledge and get more involved in all stages of their children’s lives, especially during the ante-natal stage and to accompany their partners to the monthly check-ups.

Giving an overview of the project, MenCare project coordinator, Mr Salani Gambule said it was meant to train community activists on issues of gender equality for expecting and existing fathers.

Mr Gambule said the project worked through fathers’ groups which gave existing and expecting fathers’ space to discuss and learn broadly about fatherhood, as well as other vital aspects such as teaching equally in the care of children and support during the children’s upbringing.

He also concurred with Kgosi Puleng that it had been noted that men lagged behind on issues of sexual reproductive health. One of the graduates and a father of a 25-year-old, Mr Cornelius Tumisang said the training had come in handy for first time fathers like him.

“We learnt a lot of important issues such as the appropriate language to use when talking to children whether in disciplining them or just playing with them. We were also drilled on aspects of appropriate behaviour when we are around our children,” he said.

He said such training also equipped them with skills on how to handle infants as well as importance of childcare. “We have been taking for granted issues such as accompanying our partners for the monthly ante-natal check-ups, but now we have learnt that they can also help nurture relationships,” he said.

A total of 41 participants graduated from Letlhakeng and Ditshegwane. ENDS