Provincial meeting in Ermelo urges men to confront trauma and lead change
The Mpumalanga Provincial Men Indaba, convened in Ermelo earlier this month, brought together roughly 150 men from the province’s three districts to discuss the roots of harmful masculine behaviour and practical steps to reduce gender-based violence. The gathering was organised by the Mpumalanga Department of Social Development in partnership with the provincial Men’s Sector.
The indaba assembled representatives from youth formations, traditional structures, faith-based organisations, community development bodies and men with disabilities. Its theme — “Building Responsible Men and Boys for a Safer, Healthier and Prosperous Mpumalanga Province” — directed conversations towards how unresolved trauma, social expectations and limited mentorship shape male behaviour.
“True strength is not measured by who you push down, but who you can pick up.”
Those words, delivered by Bonginkosi Dlalisa, chief director of the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC), featured strongly in the indaba’s messaging. Dlalisa urged men to engage in introspection and challenged the notion that a man should not show vulnerability — a belief he said allows unresolved trauma to manifest as dominance and aggression.
According to the organisers, participants explored how cultural norms and personal histories can contribute to the province’s gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) crisis. They discussed community-level interventions aimed at shifting attitudes and supporting healthier male identities.
Practical steps proposed at the indaba
- Mentorship programmes: Structured, community-based mentorship to guide boys and young men.
- Community izimbizos: Local gatherings for ongoing dialogue between men, families and community leaders.
- Trauma awareness: Initiatives to identify and address unresolved trauma that can underpin harmful behaviours.
Speakers and attendees underlined the need for sustained, locally driven interventions rather than one-off events. They argued that mentorship and community spaces where men can discuss pressures and emotions are essential to changing long-standing social patterns.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Venue | Gert Sibande District Municipality Mayor’s Parlour, Ermelo |
| Attendance | About 150 men from three districts |
| Organisers | Mpumalanga Department of Social Development and the Men’s Sector |
Organisers said the indaba intentionally included a wide range of men’s voices: representatives from youth bodies, traditional leaders, faith groups and groups representing men with disabilities all took part. That mix, they added, was intended to surface practical interventions that can be implemented at ward and community level across Mpumalanga.
Participants highlighted that addressing masculinity requires both individual and collective action. Mentorship programmes were presented as a cornerstone intervention to model alternative behaviours for boys and young men, while izimbizos were proposed as recurring community forums to normalise emotional literacy among men.
As the province continues to grapple with GBVF, the indaba framed men’s transformation as central to creating safer communities. The meeting in Ermelo concluded with calls for follow-up work to convert discussion into measurable local programmes, and for closer collaboration between government bodies and community structures to sustain momentum.
Authorities and sector representatives will be expected to translate the indaba’s recommendations into concrete actions at municipal and ward level in the months ahead.
