20 Jun 2013

Tati Town Customary Court president, Ms Ludo Mosojane has advised men to open up on issues affecting them.

Speaking at Pitso ya Borre, which was hosted by ministries of agriculture and wildlife and tourism in Francistown on June 19, Ms Mosojane described men as not being open individuals, adding that they kept secrets on issues affecting them. 

Ms Mosojane said men had a tendency of hiding the fact that they had kids from previous relationships, something which would later cause a strain in their existing relationships.

She said unlike men, women were properly raised and guided by relatives and their parents, but the lack of male guidance had diminished on social development of men.

“We come from a cultural background of moral uprightness which we have lost. Nowadays there are no social norms and values and as a result men are left behind,” Ms Mosojane said.

Men sector chairperson, Mr Moshe Bafani said they had realised that most wellness events addressed general issues; therefore they convened the pitso to address issues that specifically affected men, particularly health issues.

Mr Bafani said they intended to have a pitso with men on quarterly basis. He encouraged other government departments to form their own men sector committees.

True Men Trust's Mr Moabi Mosekiemeng sensitised men about the safe male circumcision (SMC) and its role in the HIV/AIDS prevention. One of the attendants, Mr Molatedi Raseduelo said through the pitso, he had learnt to be open and free to share his challenges with colleagues.

Mr Raseduelo said he would be happy to see Men Sector hosting men twice every month to address issues such as divorce and HIV/AIDS. Mr Thebe Raditau said Pitso ya Borre informed men to elevate issues affecting them, instead of just sitting on their concerns.

Mr Raditau said Men Sector must host more of these consultative meetings with men to sensitise them on a lot of issues. On his closing remarks, the district agricultural coordinator, Mr Alfred Mashungwa encouraged men to swallow their pride and start sharing information with their sons, as much as women do with girls.

Mr Mashungwa said men must start seeing themselves as leaders at personal, family and national levels. ENDS