Perspective on Boys in Africa Roundtable

The Boys in Africa Roundtable was a joint event hosted by UNISA’s Psychology Department and the Institute for Social and Health Sciences, Programme on Traditions and Transformation’s Changing Traditions Strategic Project. The UNISA Changing Traditions Strategic Project’s focus on masculinity in 2011 is intended to highlight and generate positive traditions of masculinity and transform harmful masculine practices. The Boys in Africa Roundtable was the second in their series of events focused on masculinity, following after Fashioning Masculinity in the lead-up to their biannual major travelling pitso, Changing Traditions: Everyday Lives of African Men.

Professor Kopano Ratele, who provided the impetus for the Boys in Africa Roundtable, very poignantly made participants aware of the dire correlation of violence and masculinity. The Boys in Africa event was intended to challenge the underrepresentation of boys in work on masculinity and efforts to transform gender relations with the realization that boys are children first and are not responsible for violent masculinities. Boys are able to become generative members of society and increased efforts should be made towards providing them with assistance.

Michael Theron opened the day with an exploration of the stereotypes of ideal masculinities. He highlighted the burden of expectations men are subject to and how impossible it is to attain. Scholars in a mentorship programme from Fidelitas Comprehensive School and Prudence Secondary School were present at the event. and provided valuable insight into the lives, hopes and dreams of boys. Angelo Fynn, one of their mentors and a lecturer at UNISA’s psychology department informed the participants of the transformative value of mentoring young people and the dire need for more mentors. Baba Buntu, founding director of Shabaka – Men’s Empowerment group also emphasized the need for mentorship and the necessity of making African men proud of their cultural heritage, so as to alleviate the humiliations of cultural dispossession which spurs violence.

Umesh Bawa, a psychology lecturer at the University of the Western Cape, shared the findings of a photo-voice project taken by children in Broadlands Park and Nomzamo in Cape Town. He advocated for adults to be willing to listen to young people, give them a sense of agency and empower them to be agents of change in their communities. Yaseen Ally, a UNISA psychology PHD student showcased an intervention programme which fuses therapy and kickboxing, to assist young men with substance abuse problems. Yaseen demonstrated the necessity for adults to connect to boys on their comfort levels so as to help them transform.

The Boys in Africa Roundtable hosted artists from UNISA’s ‘Artists in Residence Project’ who displayed works by male artists on masculinity. Fred van Staden introduced the participants to the artwork. The art was a subtle reminder that despite the problems of violent masculinities, that it is possible to raise men who despite poverty and marginalization are focused on creating beauty and social critique through art. Musical performances throughout the day by Music Café created a lively spirit and the event concluded with an open drumming session. The Boys in Africa Roundtable was characterized by dynamic, engaged and active participation which left participants feeling inspired to bring change to boys lives.