National Men's Day Media Release: 09 November 2022 Wasibiza Savuma!

In his first speech after ascending the throne, His Majesty, King Misuzulu kaZwelithini committed himself to leading campaigns to highlight Gender Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF). He made a clarion call to all social formations and businesses to unite against the common enemy in South Africa, abuse of women and children. In heeding the call by ISILO, various organisations have respond positively.

In what will be an historic, first of its kind event that is likely to be a mainstay on the national calendar and psyche, on Saturday, 12 November 2022, thousands of men will converge at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium.

Billed as National Men’s Day, it will start as the Men’s Walk for Change at King Dinuzulu Park, proceed along Dr Pixley kaSeme Street, turn left into Samora Machel Street, and proceed towards Kingsmead Hollywoodbets Stadium where the main event is scheduled to start at 12 noon.

The stakeholders will, in unison, condemn GBVF in the strongest terms. It is important to make people understand and also emphasize the critical role of girls and women and what they represent in the family structure. They are our children, some of them are our mothers, aunts, sisters, and grandchildren. They are our blood.

The GoodMen Foundation, mandated by ISILO, has garnered the support of strategic stakeholders; Multichoice, The Provincial government of KwaZulu-Natal, Ukhozi FM, Sibaya Community Trust and Bidvest McCarthy Volkswagen Durban, KwaZulu-Natal Christian Council, Cloud Therapist, the National Department of Social Development, and Spar; whose collective contribution has given the initiative a significant boost.

Smangaye Xaba, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The GoodMen Foundation didn’t mince his words; “it is about time we stood up against perpetrators whose intentions are only destructive. It is wrong and we should stand up first as men, condemn gender-based violence and femicide and strive to towards building nation without gender-based violence.”

The event will conclude with a Fundraising Gala Dinner at Coastlands Musgrave Hotel. Proceeds from this event will go to the development of a Gender Based Violence Victims Response Centre, a project led by Queen Mayisela.

"MultiChoice advocates for the safety of all citizens and condemns any acts of violence against women and children and that is why this initiative is close to our hearts. There should be no place or tolerance in our society for any behaviour that hurts and marginalizes women, and we hope that through this initiative men will realize the safety of women and children hinges on men playing an active role in dealing with the scourge,” says Collen Dlamini, MultiChoice Group Corporate Affairs executive.

It is expected that about 15 000 people, predominantly men, will attend The National Men’s Day. Among the attendants also, will be Amabutho from different parts of KwaZulu-Natal. While this is an event that is designed for men, women are indeed welcome to be part of it and support it. Ultimately it is about protecting and restoring their dignity.

This was also echoed by Sbongi Ngcobo, the Business Manager of Ukhozi FM; “raising the volume on gender-based violence is everyone’s business. We have a national responsibility to educate and do everything possible to empower young men and women with knowledge to help prevent incidents of gender-based violence. This matter is not an event, society lives with it daily and Ukhozi FM is committed to fighting this scourge throughout the year.”

Consistent with the call to hold hands as a nation and find creative but deliberate and conscious means to fight the pandemic of gender-based violence, we invite all community formations and organisations, private companies, government, and individuals to be part of this nation building project. The Chairman of Sibaya Community Trust, Vivian Reddy, challenged business to “end lip service, roll up their sleeves, mobilise resources, money and contribute meaningfully and genuinely in the restoration of women’s dignity and family values.”

The National Men’s Day is open to the public and entrance is free.