“Healing Begins with Honest Conversation”
📅 Posted on 30 July 2025
✍🏽 By Mbalenhle Mbatha | Incema NPO
🌐 www.incema.org.za | Instagram: @incema_npo
This July, under the theme “Breaking Barriers,” Incema NPO embarked on a bold and deeply rooted Men’s Month campaign across uMgungundlovu District. Recognizing the importance of connecting with men where they live, lead, and influence, our team visited traditional councils to engage in honest dialogue around manhood, mental health, culture, and accountability.
Our aim was simple but urgent: to break harmful silences and bring healing to the heart of the community.
🌍 Community Engagements That Mattered
We had the privilege of speaking with respected leaders, elders, and men from various communities, including:
- 07 July 2025 – Inadi Traditional Council
- 08 July 2025 – Mafunze Traditional Council
- 11 July 2025 – Willow Men’s Forum
- 15 July 2025 – Mpumuza Traditional Council
Each engagement opened space for reflection on the emotional burdens men carry, the stigma surrounding vulnerability, and the cultural shifts required for true healing. We explored how traditional leadership can be powerful allies in reshaping perceptions around masculinity and encouraging responsible, open-hearted manhood.
📻 Radio Reflection: Umgungundlovu 107.6 FM
On 17 July 2025, Incema NPO was invited to share the journey on uMgungundlovu 107.6 FM, where we spoke about:
- Key takeaways from our outreach
- Why rural engagement is essential
- The role of both modern and traditional systems in supporting men
It was a powerful reminder that our stories, our struggles, and our strengths must be heard and shared.
🛡️ Inadi Traditional Council Imbizo – 20 July 2025
We concluded Men’s Month by attending the Inadi Traditional Council Imbizo at KwaMpande. The event focused on two critical areas:
- Grooming the boy child
- Mobilizing men in the fight against gender-based violence (GBV)
This Imbizo reminded us that sustainable transformation happens through relationships, presence, and a shared commitment to justice and healing.
💬 Our Message Going Forward
At Incema NPO, we believe that true change begins at community level. Men’s Month 2025 reminded us that the journey to healing must include everyone, especially men. We remain committed to:
- Nurturing the relationships built during July
- Strengthening dialogues between communities and leadership
- Championing wellness, care, and purpose for every man and boy
Together, we are breaking generational barriers and redefining what it means to be a man in South Africa today.
