Online Reporter
Mthabisi Tshu [email protected]
Poet Keith Ndlovu has released a new poem titled Silent Armour of Men, a work aimed at raising awareness on mental health challenges faced by men in society.
The poem, which marks Ndlovu’s 106th publication, was officially released on June 1 as part of Men’s Month commemorations.
Ndlovu said the piece is dedicated to highlighting the silent struggles men endure and encouraging them to speak openly about their emotions without fear of judgement.
“I want to raise awareness for men, to speak out about the fact that it’s okay to express the displeasures of our hearts, even if people may interpret our venting as weakness,” he said.
He added that the inspiration behind the poem came from observing the mental health struggles many men face in Zimbabwe, often in silence due to stigma and societal expectations.
“The inspiration came from the fact that most men within Zimbabwe are struggling with mental health issues but are scared to convey their pains to people because of the stigmatization that exists,” said Ndlovu.
He said Silent Armour of Men focuses on the everyday pressures men experience, including the responsibility of providing for their families and the difficulty of expressing emotional struggles.
“This is a piece which focuses on men’s mental health struggles in their day-to-day lives, the struggle to take care of their families, and the challenge of voicing their concerns and frustrations,” he said.
Through the poem, Ndlovu hopes to spark conversations around men’s mental health and encourage a culture where emotional expression is accepted and supported rather than stigmatised.
