Mens’s Dialogue tackles health, GBV, family law and workplace issues affecting men

By: De-Shark

Mpumalanga DARDLEA (Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs), hosted its Men’s Dialogue Programme at Sabie Riverside Floreat Hotel, on 23 and 24 July 2026, bringing together male employees from Bohlabela, Ehlanzeni, Gert Sibande and Nkangala districts for open conversations on issues affecting men at work and at home.

Opening the dialogue, Henry Ndlovu of DARDLEA, said the platform was created to address challenges that men often keep to themselves.

“We are here as all men of the Department. We have gathered here to talk about issues relating to men, things that are troubling men in the Department, such as positions in the working environment, finances, abuse. Some of the men are being abused by their women. They are keeping quiet and they are not talking,” said Ndlovu.

“This platform offers our brothers and uncles the opportunity to sit down, voice out and discuss all issues that are related to men. The whole aim of this event is to come together and discuss issues that are troubling us at our working environments and homes,” he said.

Ndlovu concluded with a pledge: “Moreover, we also pledge as men of the Department not to abuse our sisters and children,” said Ndlovu.

Senior Maintenance Prosecutor, Advocate Mokgadi Makata, from the NPA (National Prosecuting Authority) said the law has evolved and circumstances have changed. He said attempts are underway to liaise with the Tribal Councils in Mpumalanga to ensure that issues of GBV (Gender-Based Violence) take top priority in the fight against abuse of women and children.

“We are here to share information, not to scare you. We are saying criminal, maintenance and marriage laws have changed. We need to help the women and children to make them feel safe in South Africa. We have realised that people go to Tribal Councils when they encounter GBV or issues that affect their families. As the Department of Justice and the NPA, we want to capacitate the Tribal Councils and we are on the right track,” said Adv Makata.

Advocate Bikiwe Mkhize from the Office of the Family Advocate touched on various topics relating to the reunion between a father and the child after a long separation due to different reasons. She said the child’s interest is of paramount importance and his/her need must be protected at all cost.

“When such matters come to us, we want to know how the child feels about you coming back to his/her life. The Family Counsellors that we have in the office have a way to communicate with the child to find out how the reconnection will impact the child’s life. 

“The contact between the father and child can start telephonically and should the father feel that he wants the child to visit him, we then have to find out how his current spouse feels about the reconnection,” said Adv Mkhize.

The Chairperson of the Men’s Forum Committee said men continue to carry heavy burdens in silence.

“We know that men are overwhelmed and carry issues that affect their mental health. We know it’s not easy to be a father, brother, or a man in general. Majority of men die in silence and are unable to talk. We know that we are being assaulted and abused at home but we are embarrassed to talk about our ordeal. We are here to make sure that we wipe our tears,” he said.

He added that women were invited so they could report grievances back to the Women’s Forum.

Issues of men’s health auch prostate cancer, fertility, amid lifestyle, were also highlighted during the event.

The importance of present fathers was also highlighted during the event. The men were encouraged to show presence so that the boy children can grow up with a responsibility to protect their mothers and sisters, as well as themselves.

HIV/AIDS was also flagged as an ongoing challenge for men.

The Department of Justice and NPA led additional sessions on law and GBV.

On spousal maintenance, participants were told that the moment one gets married or lobola is paid out, there is reciprocal duty of support which goes both ways. Reportedly, men can also request support if they are unable to support themselves.

The court reportedly considers financial needs, age, duration of marriage, standard of living and conduct. 

It was also revealed that permanent maintenance is reserved for an elderly wife who has been married for many years to the husband, she is too old to earn a living and is unlikely to remarry.”

On sexual offences, legal experts responded to a question on “Mavuso”. The term “Mavuso” refers to an amount of money offered to a woman by a man following an overnight sexual encounter.

It was revealed that, as a man, whether you pay ‘Mavuso’ in the morning, if the woman decides to lay a charge against you there’s nothing you can do about it. 

It was further explained that Schedule 5 and Schedule 6 offences and assault cases involving women, are tricky for the man due to the right reserved for the woman to decide if the court can grant bail or not, should the man be accused of a sexual violation.

One speaker raised concern about following due process and urged men to equip themselves with information, particularly in relation to issues of “Mavuso”. The speaker stated his anxiety regarding women having the right to consent to the bail of an accused male.

Ntokozo Nkosi-Mdluli, Chairperson of DARDLEA Women’s Forum PEC, delivered a message of support.

“You are the head of the family. As women in the Department, we are not anti-men. We are advocating for women to be appointed in strategic positions. The fact that there are female Chief Engineers is said to show that women are capable to occupy these positions.”

She said women raised workplace concerns including: subtle bullying of interns and contract workers and called for women to dress professionally in the workspace. She also noted requests for childcare facilities for mothers in the workplace.

“Men are often shying away from these challenges. We really wish Men’s Forum all the success in all their plans. Please go back to God for guidance if you come across challenges. I hope that as men you will know that DARDLEA women love you.”

The Men’s Forum Chairperson said the goal is to eventually have Men’s Forum, Women’s Forum and joint sessions under one roof to serve all staff.

Additional presentations coming from officials in the Office of the Family Advocate elaborated on matters involving the rights and responsibilities of the father, penalties against child maintenance defaulters, adherence to court orders regarding child maintenance, to mention but a few.

DARDLEA said the resolutions from the dialogue will guide future support programmes for employees, with follow-ups on health screenings, workplace conduct and family support.