We’re celebrating trailblazing men who stand in solidarity with women across our nation
Men who are on the side of women, and actively campaign for issues affecting them, provide a sense of hope and optimism for the future of both the nation and the entire planet.
It’s imperative to raise a new generation of men who respect women, so having amazing role models for younger South African men causes a positive chain reaction. Ultimately, men who are revered public figures and regular guys both have the power to improve the lives of women, which is no small feat.
Michael Van Niekerk
Michael, founder of Keep The Energy, is one of the leading activists against gender-based violence in South Africa. He was studying at the time when the #AmINextMovement began in 2019, after the rape and murder of UCT student Uyuinene Mrwetyana.
His account’s bio reads: “Our aim is to fight gender-based violence against women, children and LGBTQIA+ persons. We cannot afford to die down.” Keep The Energy is now a registered NPO and raises funds to end GBV. With over 100K followers, the account is indeed keeping (if not powering) the energy.
Instagram: @keeptheenergy
Twitter: @KEEPTHEENERGY1
Siv Ngesi
South African actor – and our MAN January cover star – Siv Ngesi is an outspoken advocate for equal rights and uses his platform to fight against injustices women experience in our countrry. After meeting a homeless woman and becoming concerned about how these women deal with their period, he founded MENstruation.
The slogan of the charity outlines its aim: “If men bled once a month, sanitary products would be free. Period!” MENstruation donates thousands of sanitary products monthly to women and girls. Girls who can’t afford pads often miss school, which jeopardises their education and future success.
“My charity currently distributes about 33 000 sanitary pads to mostly schoolgirls every month. We have a vending-machine system that also helps us reach young girls,” he says. “We have plans to open a factory to manufacture the Agojie Pad, named after the female army in The Woman King.”
Ngesi’s bigger vision in fighting period poverty, however, is for there to no longer be a need for such charities. “My biggest aim is fighting for free sanitary pads.”
Instagram: @sivngesi
Twitter: @iamSivN
Ian Fuhr
Ian has been helping South African women break into the business sector for almost 20 years. After seeing a gap in the market for a large chain of beauty salons in Africa, Fuhr founded the Sorbet Group.
“The Sorbet community is a place that empowered female entrepreneurs to own their own businesses,” he says, “and then further empowered many other women and men to build careers and to sustain their families.”
Twitter: @ian_fuhr
Luyolo Lengisi & Siyabonga Khusela
In 2019, Capetonians Luyolo and Siyabonga started #LangaForMen in their community. They both witnessed gender-based violence growing up and felt the need to help prevent it. Langa for Men aims to help young boys grow to be good men and not perpetrators of GBV.
They provide workshops, such as Boys to Men, for guys between the ages of 10 and 28, aimed at educating them on consent, patriarchy and toxic masculinity. Luyolo emphasises the importance of instilling good values from a young age: “We realised that most organisations were telling girls and women what to do, how to dress and stay safe etc, but no one was talking to the men – the root of the issue.
That is where we come in.” Langa for Men also facilitates sessions where victims of abuse may come and share their experiences and hopefully heal. Donations to their organisation can be made via GoGetFunding.
Instagram: @langaformen
Words by: Sahrah Enous
Photographs: Gallo/Getty Images, Supplied
