Men’s Forum’s Godfrey Mcobokazi urges men to take responsibility
By Simon Makgoga
Gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) is gripping South Africa and wreaking havoc in households across the country.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has labelled it a national crisis and called on men to come on board to root out the scourge.
Godfrey Mcobokazi, 29, from Klipgat C, heeded that call.
Men’s Forum’s Godfrey Mcobokazi speaks to attendees
He studies part-time at the University of South Africa and is on a mission to complete his degree.
But their classroom extends beyond campus. Mcobokazi and his team are driven by one goal: making a positive impact in people’s lives by building their community.
They run vocational work in Winterveld and Klipgat through _Kopano Lerato Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC).
The project operates from the Sisters of Mercy Old Clinic in Winterveld.
It was established in 2003 to support children who lost parents to HIV and Aids.
In 2021 the project expanded.
Mcobokazi and his team launched a gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) programme in Winterveld and Klipgat.
That work gave birth to a monthly men’s forum.
Every month the forum brings men together to discuss challenges they face in their homes and communities.
They then map practical ways to end GBVF.
“The high rate of GBVF compelled us to start hosting men’s dialogues because in most cases men are the main drivers of these abuses,” Mcobokazi said.
The easy-going young man has the safety of the vulnerable at heart.
“We realised men are no longer regarded as protectors but as life breakers.
So we decided to take charge by mobilising them to address this thorny issue that leads to women and children being abused,” said the Unisa teaching student.
“Women and children must be protected. Without them we are no longer a complete nation.
We must be responsible by championing the cause of the powerless and vulnerable,” he added.
He said meetings are held at taverns and major taxi ranks because that is where men gather.
Mcobokazi coordinates the forum. He works with a team of five to drive the programme.
Their mission is clear: change the knowledge, attitudes and practices of men in Winterveld and surrounding areas.
For them, education and community work go hand in hand. One builds the mind.
The other builds the nation.
For more information or to support the forum’s mission, contact Godfrey Mcobokazi on 069 422 3226.
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