Honouring SA men who make a difference
The SA Men Of The Year Awards are set to honour five of Mzansi’s legends for their selfless work and leadership on November 29.
The awards, held during international Men’s Month, is part of an initiative by the Department of Social Development’s Men’s Forum.
This aim is to celebrate men who continue to make a difference, while also encouraging others to be active participants in the process of nation building and the protection of women and children.
The five legends are Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, Professor Stan Sangweni, Jonas Gwangwa, Dr Sam Motsuenyane, and Professor Mshengu Muzi Tshabalala.
Men’s Forum chairperson Bongani Ngomane said: “These men need to be celebrated for making it in life against all odds, without stealing from anyone, without hurting anyone or their spouse.”
Other men will be celebrated for their outstanding work in 12 additional categories including Community Builder, Entrepreneur, Youth Developer and Man of The Year.
Professor Mshengu Muzi Tshabalala
“We, as the government, were concerned about the narrative around gender issues in the country and men’s positioning in the country because they are presented as a problematic sector of society.
“We thought then that we need to change the dialogue and narrative that the country is taking around gender issues. Let us see men in a positive light,” said Ngomane.
He also highlighted that this is in no way ignoring gender violence and other atrocities that are happening within society, but the campaign augments the fight.
“We are complementing the fight against gender-based violence, that is why our motto says: ‘We are transforming South African Men’.
“The awards are not a competition but a way of re-branding South African men, profiling positive male role models in our society and changing the narrative of who and what South African men represent.”
The ceremony will be hosted by Sello Maake ka Ncube and Alicia Jali.