REPORT: 

Brits is the second largest of the three Orbit TVET College campuses with just under 3,000 students registered. This was the first campus at which we had a 100% male audience.

  • The campus student support manager, Mr. Tekana, shared with us the difficulty he experiences getting male students to attend as they were generally not interested in any of the programmes offered by the college.

  • The dynamic with an all-male audience was noticeably different from the other college sessions that the team had run. There was greater openness and frankness and the type of issues discussed went deeper to the core of masculinity.

  • Common issues that were raised:

    • What makes a man a real man.
    • The impact of fatherlessness on boys.
    • The role of men in society.
    • What men can do in the fight against women abuse.
  • When asked who had active father figures in their lives, less than 10 raised their hands out of a group of 300!  There was a lot of emotion when the facilitator said to them that it is not their fault that they did not have fathers, but it will be their fault if they do not learn from their fathers’ shortcomings.

  • One student commented with agreement from others that had it not been for the #NoExcuse workshop, they would have never been able to confront the challenge of woman abuse because it is such a norm in the community. After the workshop, the college asked us to please come again, expressing concern about the way men are being raised in the community. They feel that this campaign is one of very few that can lead to positive change in the community.

  • The campus student support manager, Mr. Tekana, shared with us the difficulty he experiences getting male students to attend as they were generally not interested in any of the programmes offered by the college.

  • The dynamic with an all-male audience was noticeably different from the other college sessions that the team had run. There was greater openness and frankness and the type of issues discussed went deeper to the core of masculinity.

  • Common issues that were raised:

    • What makes a man a real man.
    • The impact of fatherlessness on boys.
    • The role of men in society.
    • What men can do in the fight against women abuse.
  • When asked who had active father figures in their lives, less than 10 raised their hands out of a group of 300!  There was a lot of emotion when the facilitator said to them that it is not their fault that they did not have fathers, but it will be their fault if they do not learn from their fathers’ shortcomings.

  • One student commented with agreement from others that had it not been for the #NoExcuse workshop, they would have never been able to confront the challenge of woman abuse because it is such a norm in the community. After the workshop, the college asked us to please come again, expressing concern about the way men are being raised in the community. They feel that this campaign is one of very few that can lead to positive change in the community.

What I learnt:

HOW TO TREAT A WOMAN.

Botshelo Moumakoe, Student

“A MAN IS NOT DEFINED BY MONEY BUT BY HIS ACTIONS.

Mlondolozi Sibisi, Student

EVERY MAN HAS VALUE TO GIVE.

Odirile Ledimgwane, Student

THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR BEING A MONSTER IN YOUR FAMILY.

Thapelo Mabusa, Student

Biggest challenges you face:

I need to be a father figure at home even though I’m still a student.

Tshepo Motemo, Student

Not being able to speak about my problems as a man.

Anonymous, Student

Mentoring things that should have been mentored by my father.

Bonang Morake, Student

Growing up without my own father.

Mukhodeni Tuarago, Student

What will you change?

I will protect abused women.

Kamoselo Senamo , Student

I will stop degrading my own manhood.

Maledi Kgwale, Student

I will prevent abuse against women in my community.

Simphiwe Maatjale, Student

My personal lifestyle, my choices and my friends.

Tshepo Shoro, Student

I will change my attitude to be a real man that our country needs.

Enos Mehlakwane, Student

To stop beating girls no matter how angry I am.

Omphemetse Molo, Student

I would like to start a group where men meet and talk about our challenges.

Andrew Baloyi, Student

What I learnt:

HOW TO TREAT A WOMAN.

Botshelo Moumakoe, Student

“A MAN IS NOT DEFINED BY MONEY BUT BY HIS ACTIONS.

Mlondolozi Sibisi, Student

EVERY MAN HAS VALUE TO GIVE.

Odirile Ledimgwane, Student

THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR BEING A MONSTER IN YOUR FAMILY.

Thapelo Mabusa, Student

Biggest challenges you face:

I need to be a father figure at home even though I’m still a student.

Tshepo Motemo, Student

Not being able to speak about my problems as a man.

Anonymous, Student

Mentoring things that should have been mentored by my father.

Bonang Morake, Student

Growing up without my own father.

Mukhodeni Tuarago, Student

What will you change?

I will protect abused women.

Kamoselo Senamo , Student

I will stop degrading my own manhood.

Maledi Kgwale, Student

I will prevent abuse against women in my community.

Simphiwe Maatjale, Student

My personal lifestyle, my choices and my friends.

Tshepo Shoro, Student

I will change my attitude to be a real man that our country needs.

Enos Mehlakwane, Student

To stop beating girls no matter how angry I am.

Omphemetse Molo, Student

I would like to start a group where men meet and talk about our challenges.

Andrew Baloyi, Student

Parental love, especially from a father, is what a boy child needs.

– Karabo Lekutu

WATCH A SHORT CLIP OF THE WORKSHOP