Online Reporter
Live Updates by Langalakhe Mabena & Trish Mukwazo | Photos by Eliah Saushoma
Good morning, and welcome to our live coverage of the Men to Men Indaba, underway at King’s Kraal in Bulawayo. Running under the theme “Mental Wellness for Men”, this pivotal event seeks to tackle the often-overlooked issue of men’s mental health by creating a stigma-free platform for open dialogue, support, and empowerment.
Hosted by Zimpapers, today’s Indaba brings together men from all walks of life — professionals, youth, retirees, religious and community leaders — alongside mental health experts and advocates, to engage in open and action-oriented conversations on coping with stress, financial strain, grief, substance abuse, and more.
With Bulawayo recording a worrying 20 male suicide cases out of 21 in June last year, today’s event couldn’t be more timely.
Stay tuned as our reporters Langalakhe Mabena and Trish Mukwazo, together with Chief Photographer Eliah Saushoma, bring you key moments, powerful testimonies, expert insights, and visual highlights throughout the day.
📍 Location: King’s Kraal, Bulawayo
🕚 Time: 11AM – 4PM
📸 #MenToMenIndaba #MentalWellnessZW
Refresh this page for live updates.
Men to Men Indaba underway at King’s Kraal
As part of celebrating the Men’s health, Zimpapers is hosting the “Men to Men Indaba” at King’s Kraal, Zonkizizwe Shopping Centre, Bradfield, Bulawayo.
The event started at 11:30 and it is set to end at 4pm.
Running under the theme “Man up, come let’s talk men to men”, the event will feature panel discussions on retirement planning, finance, marriage, family and crucially, physical and mental health.
Key speakers for the day are Pastor Kilton Moyo who will discuss on Masculinity, pressure and identity, as well as Doctor Wellington Ranga who will discuss on silent battles that affect men.
Other speakers are Mr Philile Gumpo, Dumisani Ndlovu, Dr E Ranga, Simon Sibanda as well as Sifundo Ngwenya.
In his opening remarks, Zimpapers Training Institute Acting Principal Mr Limukani Ncube said the Indaba is not just a dialogue; it is a movement — one that recognises the importance of men’s health, mental well-being, financial literacy, positive masculinity, and preparation for life beyond work.
“Today, we are creating a safe space where men can openly discuss these realities, share lessons, and support one another without judgement. Let us use this opportunity to listen, learn, and lead — not just for ourselves, but for the generations that look up to us,” said Mr Ncube.
Mr Philile Gumbo from NSSA has taken to the podium at the Men to Men Indaba happening at King’s Krall in Bulawayo. His presentation is on Financial Fortitude – Building Economic Security as a Man.
He says as a worker it is important for one to prepare for life after retirement as life might get tougher without income. He suggests that men should invest in other business forms that will sustain them after retirement.
Men encouraged to prioritise on essential needs instead on the superficial
Standing in for Family Therapist Pastor Kilton Moyo, Mr Fredrick Mabhikwa from the City Council has taken to the podium at the men to men Indaba in Bulawayo.
Mr Mabhikwa takes men through a lecture on prioritising on essential needs instead of focusing on things they can’t afford.
He said instead of taking your children to expensive schools one should rather build a house for them and get the children schooling at a good and cheaper school.
He encourages not succumb to pressure as they are sons, husbands, son in laws and fathers at the same time.
“Most men struggle with issues of superstition, religion ,finances and pressures to mantain a lifestyle which they envisioned for themselves and their families. Once a man gets married sometimes they are faced with a challenge of having their mothers labeled as witches by their wives and that alone is some of the stresses men are faced with,
“Some go to clubs that they can’t afford taking from their budget money, at the end of the day failing to cater for their family needs,” he said.
He advises men to cut their clothe according to their size.
“Have a social life and fellowship with other men it’s not only about drinking beer. If you stay at home you won’t grow, go and mingle with other men,” he said.
The majority of mental health patients at Ingutsheni Central Hospital are men
Dr Wellington Ranga who is the Clinical Director at Ingutsheni Central Hospital presenting on Silent Battles: Confronting the Mental Health Crisis Among Men in Zimbabwe.
Ingutsheni is Zimbabwe’s only public mental health institution.
Dr Ranga says at Ingutsheni they have 600 patients admitted and of those numbers 430 are male. He says its better for men to deal with things before they get out of hand.
“As a man, if you have a problem and in need of assistances, its always wise to open up about your situation. Talk to a friend, brother, family and even work mates before things get out of hand.
“Once you come to us (at Ingutsheni), it means that your situation will be serious and most of the cases that we deal with, they could have been avoided from the beginning by just talking about the situation and opening up to the next person,” said Dr Ranga.
Men are comfortable with their heart and other body parts, but they don’t care about the health of their brains .
He says the main reason why man breakdown is because of assuming they are strong.
“There is this sigma of men not talking about what they are going through because they feel like they are strong. Bottling up one’s problem may be a serious problem at the end. Men end up committing suicide because of pilling up their problems.
“Many men turn to hide their primary emotion and pretend as if they are happy (secondary emotions). Faking life to please friends and spending too much whilst one knows of their situation at home, has claimed a lot of young people through suicide,” said Dr Ranga.
Sidumisile Mabena