Gwanda’s men conference brings creatives, community together

A sizable number of men from Gwanda, including artists and community members, recently received practical guidance after attending a men’s conference aimed at restoring men to their rightful place as leaders, providers and protectors in the home.

The event was held last weekend and gave men time to relax and talk openly after a long week. Attendees were served one of men’s favourite meals that included isitshwala/sadza and amangqina and inhloko, with drinks as they listened and shared.

One of the organisers, Councillor Thembelani Mathuthu, said the gathering was in line with President Mnangagwa’s philosophy of leaving no one and no place behind.

“It may be noted that most programmes in society are labelled for girls or women, leaving men in the cold. Our wish is to get men involved in running households, in financial support and in mental health. We believe this will help in transforming our nation,” he said.

He said the goal was to create space for men to speak freely and to take leading roles in families to help reduce conflict at home.

“To support this, we invited a marriage counsellor to speak on communication and respect in marriage. We also had a financial advisor because we know that many disputes in families involve money. A health expert was there to teach men about specific issues like prostate cancer and general wellness,” said Mathuthu.

He added that society needs to support men better because the pressure they carry is heavy.

“Men are often regarded as the stronger sex, but the way some are committing suicide, committing serious crimes and abusing drugs and alcohol shows that they have a lot on their plate. We must talk about these things and find solutions together. A strong family starts with a strong man. Let us lead with love, provide with dignity and protect with wisdom,” he said.

Content creator and social media influencer Lincoln Magabo said the conference was an eye-opener and called on other creatives to host similar meetings.

“Men’s meetings are important because they give men a safe space to speak openly about issues such as gender-based violence, mental health and suicide prevention,” he noted.

“They also allow younger men to learn from elders. Many uncles now live in rural areas, so these gatherings provide a valuable opportunity to receive guidance, share wisdom and build stronger communities.”

Magabo said the arts community has a role to play in spreading positive messages. He encouraged musicians, poets and influencers to use their platforms to promote responsible behaviour and to invite men to dialogue.

Several participants said they left the conference feeling encouraged and with practical tools they can use at home and at work.

Topics discussed included budgeting, managing stress, seeking medical check-ups and resolving disputes without violence.

The organisers said they plan to hold more sessions across Gwanda and to work with churches, schools and local leaders to reach more men.

They also called on businesses and well-wishers to support the initiative with resources and expertise.