Empowering young men: The inaugural Boys Parliament in the Western Cape
Young men from across the Western Cape joined a virtual sitting of the inaugural Boys Parliament on Tuesday. Talking here is deputy speaker Reagan Allen
Image: Screenshot
Saturdays are for the boys, but this bro code was officially broken on Tuesday when young men took over the Western Cape legislature for the first-ever Boys' Parliament.
And they ruled the virtual discussion like champs, talking about respect, fairness and proving that boys too can cry.
Boys' Parliament was brought to life to bring young men together to debate matters affecting them.
The debates involve male MPs and young leaders taking part as guest speakers.
The guest speakers were from various parts of the province, including Beaufort West and George.
Opening the floor, MP Gillion Bosman said when he was a teenager in Cape Town he saw how inequality and poverty could stifle talent before it even had a chance to grow.
"My own path has taken me from the streets of Grassy Park to classrooms at the University of Cape Town and leadership programmes across the world including the Mandela Washington Fellowship in the United States," he said.
"Being a change maker is more than holding office or founding an organisation. It means questioning harmful norms — especially those around gender that this Boys' Parliament is tackling.
"Each of you can model respect and equality in your schools, your friendships and your families.
"That is how we build a society where justice is not a 'girl issue' but everyone’s responsibility."
MP Khalid Sayed said young men carried a powerful role.
"You can challenge the so-called boy code that tells you strength means silence, dominance or disrespect," he said.
"True strength is in equality, in compassion and in standing up against abuse wherever it happens.
"Each of you here today has the power to model a new way of being — to show your peers that being a champion for change means treating girls as equals, confronting stereotypes and building a society where respect is mutual."
The Western Cape Council of Learners' representative, Josh Lemmetjies, said boys should bring about change.
"We are growing boys as champions for change," the pupil said.
"Boys who not only see the challenges around them but take action to address them … boys who learn, lead and inspire others through their example.
"Every small choice, every act of courage, every voice raised, in truth, contributes to building a community that is stronger, fairer and more united. Together, we don't wait for change, we create it."
Matthew Taylor, of the Junior Town Council of George, said gender equality must be actively pursued.
"Let us start by thinking about the role of institutions like the Western Cape Boys' Parliament in addressing these issues," he said.
"The Western Cape Boys' Parliament holds a unique position in shaping the future of young boys and, in turn, society as a whole.
"It can play a pivotal role in creating an environment where gender equality is not just an article but a core value.
"This platform can amplify our voices in advocating for equal rights."
Babalu Fanelo, of the Chrysalis Academy, said boys were often not seen as vulnerable.
"It often feels like we are not safe," he said.
"We are creating our own safe spaces which is something that should also be recognised — we too deserve safe spaces. This is not something that revolves around only some people; it is not justifiable for everyone.
"That is how I view the roles in the world we are living in today."
Junior Town Council of Stellenbosch' Byron Scheepers said: "We should stop telling each other boys will be boys ... when we see mistreatment we must educate boys on consent and gender based violence.
"The Western Cape Parliament must champion the idea that gender justice is not just about women's rights but human rights .... encourage boys to express their emotion."
Destin Jooste, of the Junior Town Council of Beaufort West, said: "We must press the reset button ... the patriarchy is not good ... speaking up doesn't mean you are weak and being silenced will not help everyone."
Franklin Malefane said the idea that men cannot cry leads to depression.
"I am here to say we should challenge that \[idea]," he said.
"We must let men know that it is OK to cry and OK to let out your emotions ... we need to encourage boys and be father figures to them and maybe show them there is more to bottling up your emotions."
Deputy Speaker Reagan Allen afterward told IOL he was excited for Boys' Parliament.
"It is always inspiring to see young leaders from across the Western Cape come together to debate important issues," he said.
"The purpose of Boys' Parliament is to challenge stereotypes, break out of the so-called boy code and encourage boys to see themselves as champions for change.
"It’s about creating a safe space where boys can talk openly about respect, equality and their role in building a society that is fair to everyone.
"More than a debate, it’s leadership training — helping young men understand that real strength is found in respect and responsibility."
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