Online Reporter
Oliver Kazunga
Senior Reporter
ZIMPAPERS will this week convene a Men’s Indaba in Bulawayo to address the pressing issue of old age poverty and fostering open dialogue among men on long-term financial and emotional well-being.
The event, scheduled for Friday at King’s Kraal, Zonkizizwe Shopping Centre, in Bradfield, comes hard on the heels of a similar event held recently in Harare, which drew hundreds of participants, including male employees from various organisations, invited through their human resources practitioners. The Harare indaba, which ran under the theme “Man Up, Come Let’s Talk Men-To-Men”, focused on mental health, retirement planning, stress management and the growing roles of manhood in modern communities.
In an interview ahead of the upcoming Men’s Indaba in Bulawayo, to be held under the theme “Old Age Poverty is Real — Come, Let’s Discuss This, Man to Man”, Zimpapers public relations and events manager Mrs Pauline Matanda said: “Drawing national attention to the often-overlooked issue of financial vulnerability among elderly men, we expect that the Bulawayo event will bring together men from various walks of life in their hundreds.
“The imminent indaba aims to generate an open dialogue and solution-building around the rising concern of poverty in old age, an issue progressively affecting Zimbabwean men as they transition from active employment to retirement.” Preparations for the upcoming men’s forum, Mrs Matanda said, had gathered momentum, with the corporate world and individuals welcome to participate.
“As far as preparations for the Men’s Indaba, which we are taking to Bulawayo for the first time after a similar event in Harare recently, are concerned, we have gathered momentum,” she said.
“Quite a number of organisations have been approached for partnership and it is our fervent hope that this event will be a resounding success, just like the one we had in Harare.”
The planned occasion is open to the public, with men of all ages encouraged to attend, listen, share their experiences in panel discussions and learn from others.
Social scientists, financial experts and psychologists will deliver presentations addressing key challenges such as retirement planning, mental health in later life, social isolation and sustainable income strategies, offering practical solutions to help men prepare for and navigate old age with dignity. Mrs Matanda underscored the urgent need for candid discussions on financial planning, mental health and the societal expectations placed upon men as providers for families.
“Old age poverty is a reality many men are mutely facing, often in isolation,” she said.
“This Men’s Indaba is a passionate plea for men to come together as men, and unpack what leads to this situation — lack of support systems, poor financial planning and at times cultural taboos that curtail men from help-seeking. “Therefore, through this upcoming indaba, as Zimpapers, we want to break that silence and foster a community that supports men from youth right up to old age.” Through the upcoming indaba, Zimpapers is forging ahead with its commitment to influence positive social change and foster inclusive national conversations.
The indaba aligns with broader national efforts to promote gender equity in health and economic well-being.
Those who would like to partner or attend the event; contact Hilda on 0772884218 or Oliver on 0774599731.
Online Reporter